Russia asks U.S. to allow Boeing aircraft purchase using frozen funds

Bloomberg reported this, citing a source in Moscow familiar with the matter.

According to the source, while this request isn’t a condition for agreeing to a ceasefire, Russia understands that frozen funds can’t be used to buy aircraft without one. At the same time, the authors note, the deal to purchase planes could become part of broader sanctions relief if hostilities end.

“The U.S. will not discuss any economic commitments until a ceasefire has been reached,” said National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes when asked whether Russia is trying to buy Boeing planes.

The U.S. State Department and Boeing declined to comment.

According to U.S. lawmakers, about $5 billion in Russian assets are frozen in the United States. Altogether, the U.S. and its allies have blocked roughly $280 billion in Russian Central Bank reserves — over two-thirds of that is held in the European Union.

Bloomberg also notes that Russia has publicly urged the U.S. to lift sanctions on its national airline, PJSC Aeroflot, and allow direct flights between the two countries to resume. Washington has not publicly responded.

The authors mention that Boeing may now face rising pressure to return to the Russian market, especially as the American aircraft maker is under strain in other regions due to tariffs introduced under President Donald Trump. Notably, China has ordered its airlines to stop buying American-made aircraft.

Bloomberg recalled that after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, sanctions created major problems for the country’s aviation sector, especially with aircraft maintenance.

Russian airlines have been forced to strip planes for parts and find alternative sources for components and services — moves that may compromise safety.

The authors also noted that in February, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov said Moscow was open to resuming cooperation with Boeing, which had been a major buyer of Russian titanium before the 2022 invasion.

• Bloomberg earlier reported that in response to a 145% U.S. tariff on Chinese goods, Beijing imposed similar tariffs — and Chinese airlines were instructed to halt purchases from Boeing Co.