Bipartisan group of U.S. senators urges Trump to transfer frozen Russian assets to Ukraine

Reuters reported the information, citing a letter from the senators to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The letter, signed by Republicans Todd Young and Lindsey Graham as well as Democrats Richard Blumenthal and Tim Kaine, was sent to Rubio on March 21.

In the letter, the senators inquire about how the Trump administration is considering the use of all financial tools at its disposal to increase pressure on Russia to end the war.

“Specifically, does the Administration believe that U.S. and EU-held assets should be used as leverage in negotiations with Russia to bring an end to the war? If so, how?” the letter states.

The senators also ask whether the Trump administration intends to develop a strategy to encourage the EU, the G7, and other allies to use sovereign Russian assets. They also inquired whether the administration would support Ukraine by using frozen Russian assets under U.S. control to purchase defense equipment.

Reuters notes that this letter is a rare example of high-ranking Republicans publicly calling on the Trump administration to take a tougher stance on Moscow.

• Earlier, DW reported that EU leaders had stopped discussing the possibility of confiscating frozen Russian assets within the bloc, stating that the assets should remain immobilized.