Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, Member of Parliament for Solihull West & Shirley and Army Veteran, has continued his campaign calling for the transfer of Russian Frozen Assets to Ukraine.
Joining Parliamentary colleagues from across the House, Neil co-signed a letter in The Times (published 06/01/2025) calling for $300bn in Russian Frozen Assets to be transferred to Ukraine to support its war effort.
Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP added:
When Putin launched his illegal invasion of Ukraine; the world changed. We now live in a more uncertain world; a more dangerous world; a more challenging world. But, for the people of Ukraine, the threat is existential.
Our friends in Ukraine are desperately in need of our help. The moral case for using frozen Russian assets to support Kyiv’s war needs and its economic and political reconstruction is inarguable.
Beyond the moral argument, there is a political, legal, and economic case for doing so. As a matter of international law, Russia “must bear the legal consequences of all of its internationally wrongful acts”. These include “making reparation for the injury, including any damage, caused by such acts”. Now, there can be no credible scenario whereby Russia is not liable for such damages.
After all, this conflict is the consequence of Russia waging an unprompted, illegal invasion of Ukraine. Therefore, the utilisation of those frozen Russian assets held by the West should be considered as a downpayment on monies already owed.
Using the $300 billion in Russian Central Bank assets now, as an advanced payment, will provide Ukraine with a crucial lifeline as it continues its Herculean defence of its country. It will prove to be invaluable in Ukraine’s economic endurance against Russia’s strategy of attrition and ruin. And, it will enable the rebuilding of the nation of Ukraine.
It is neither right nor practicable to expect Western taxpayers to foot the bill for reconstructing Ukraine when there are legal means for Russia to pay.
Putin is a bully. He does not believe in international legal obligations. He does not believe in the Rules Based Order. He believes in disruption and chaos. We cannot, therefore, live in the blind hope that Russia will accept their international responsibilities.
As with all bullies, we must stand up to Putin. We must show that UN Rulings and international law have teeth. We must show that there are consequences to his illegality. Which is why I believe this countermeasure is paramount, in these extraordinary times. Not just to save Ukraine but to ensure the safety and prosperity of Europe.
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