American senators push Trump to seize Russian assets for Ukraine: Reuters

In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio seen by Reuters on March 24, senators questioned the administration’s willingness to use all available financial tools to pressure Russia into ending its war against Ukraine.

“How does the Administration view using all financial tools at its disposal to increase pressure on Russia to end the war?” the senators reportedly wrote in the letter.

They also asked whether U.S. and EU-held Russian assets should be leveraged in negotiations with Moscow.

Senators Todd Young and Lindsey Graham signed the letter, marking a rare instance of senior Republicans publicly urging a tougher stance on Russia. Democrats Richard Blumenthal and Tim Kaine signed it as well.

Pro-Ukraine Republicans in Congress have largely remained silent as Trump shifts U.S. policy closer to Moscow. The State Department has not yet responded to the senators’ request.

Their letter, sent on March 21, coincided with U.S.-Russia negotiations in Saudi Arabia, where officials discussed a potential Black Sea maritime ceasefire as a precursor to broader peace talks.

For years, U.S. lawmakers have pushed to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s reconstruction rather than rely on American taxpayer dollars.

In the letter, the senators pressed the administration on whether it plans to encourage the EU, G7, and other allies to use Russian sovereign assets for Ukraine’s benefit. They also inquired about allowing Ukraine to purchase defense equipment using these assets.

Following Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. and its allies froze an estimated $300-350 billion in Russian sovereign assets, primarily held in European financial institutions.

Washington has refrained from fully seizing the assets due to legal concerns, instead opting to use interest earnings to provide aid to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Moscow has condemned any potential asset transfer as theft but has reportedly signaled a willingness to use frozen European funds for reconstruction—provided some of the money benefits the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine.