New REPO Act Mandates $250M Quarterly Aid to Ukraine, Pushes Allies to Use Frozen Russian Assets

The “REPO for Ukrainians Implementation Act of 2025” is essentially the follow-up paperwork that makes it easier for the U.S. to use frozen Russian sovereign assets to fund aid for Ukraine. The core of this bill is streamlining the process and locking in a consistent, mandatory funding schedule, while also pressuring international allies to do the same.

The $250 Million Quarterly Mandate

If you’re wondering where the money is going, Section 5 sets a clear floor: the Secretary of State must commit and spend at least $250 million from the newly established Ukraine Support Fund every 90 days (quarterly), provided the funds are available. This is a big deal because it moves aid from being sporadic to being a guaranteed, minimum financial commitment, giving Ukraine a predictable funding stream. The bill also requires that any money deposited into this fund must be immediately invested by the Treasury Secretary in safe, interest-bearing U.S. government obligations (Section 4). This means the money isn't just sitting idle; it's earning interest, and that interest gets plowed right back into the Ukraine Support Fund. Think of it like a mandated, high-stakes savings account for Ukraine, with a required quarterly withdrawal.

Bypassing the Confiscation Hurdle

Perhaps the most significant procedural change is found in Section 3. Previously, using these assets often involved the complex legal step of “confiscation.” This new provision gives the President the authority to simply transfer non-confiscated Russian aggressor state sovereign assets directly into the Ukraine Support Fund. This is a powerful move—it allows the Executive Branch to centralize control over these funds without having to jump through the legal hoops of formally seizing them first. For busy people, this means the money moves faster, but it also concentrates a lot of financial power in the hands of the President regarding international assets.

Pressuring the G7 and EU Allies

This bill isn't just about what the U.S. does; it’s about making sure our allies shoulder the burden, too. Section 6 mandates a strong, ongoing diplomatic effort to convince “covered countries”—meaning the G7 and EU members (excluding the U.S.)—to start “repurposing” Russian sovereign assets held in their jurisdictions. The goal is to get these allies to commit at least 5 percent of the assets they hold every quarter for Ukraine's benefit. To kick this off, the President has to submit two detailed reports to Congress: one within 90 days detailing where the assets are in those covered countries, and a second within 270 days detailing assets in non-covered countries globally. This provision highlights a key challenge: the U.S. is pushing its allies to act, but the bill doesn't specify any consequences if they don't—it’s purely a diplomatic effort.

What This Means in the Real World

For the average person, this bill reinforces a long-term commitment to Ukraine, paid for not by new taxes, but by repurposing frozen assets. The mandatory $250 million quarterly spending creates a predictable flow of aid, which helps stabilize international efforts. However, the bill introduces significant complexity and potential risk by granting the President broad authority to move non-confiscated sovereign assets. This kind of maneuver, while aimed at a positive goal, could set precedents in international finance and law. The success of this act heavily relies on whether the U.S. diplomatic push can actually convince key allies to start liquidating or using 5% of their held Russian assets every quarter.