Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. introduces bipartisan bill to transfer frozen Russian assets to Ukraine every 90 days

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representative Tom Kean, Jr. (R-NJ) has joined Representatives Joe Wilson (R-SC), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), and Steve Cohen (D-TN) to introduce the REPO Implementation Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation that would repurpose frozen Russian sovereign assets held in the United States and transfer them to Ukraine every 90 days.

The measure builds on the REPO for Ukrainians Act, signed into law in April 2024, by creating a regular, predictable framework for transferring seized Russian assets. Supporters say the legislation would ensure that Russia pays for the destruction caused by its invasion of Ukraine while providing Ukraine with steady financial assistance.

“Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine continues to inflict tremendous suffering on the Ukrainian people,” Kean said. “By repurposing frozen Russian sovereign assets in the United States, we can ensure that Russia bears the cost of Putin’s aggression. The REPO Implementation Act establishes a clear framework to provide Ukraine with consistent investments from the United States and encourages our G7 allies to do the same. Together, these efforts will help Ukraine sustain its defense and sovereignty, rebuild what Putin’s forces have destroyed, and strengthen Europe’s collective security.”

Representative Joe Wilson called the legislation a moral imperative. “War criminal Putin chose to invade Ukraine. Despite losing his war, he continues mass murder and destruction while abducting and erasing identities of Ukrainian children,” Wilson said. “I was grateful to be among the first supporters of the original REPO Act, and I am grateful to sponsor the REPO Implementation Act of 2025 to ensure that Putin’s own money is used to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression.”

Rep. Marcy Kaptur, co-chair and co-founder of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, said the new legislation follows through on the commitment made in 2024. “Last year, Congress overwhelmingly passed the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity (REPO) for Ukrainians Act to ensure that Russia alone is held responsible for the death and destruction that Dictator Putin has forced upon the free people of Ukraine,” Kaptur said. “While that step was an essential one, which we took along with our other allies for Liberty, more can be done. Today, Congress follows through on the promise of the REPO Act and ups the pressure on Putin’s Russia to come to the table for peace with the introduction of this new bipartisan legislation.”

Representative Steve Cohen emphasized the bill’s focus on accountability. “Vladimir Putin put his corrupt money in the United States and Europe, and we froze it. The REPO for Ukrainians Act was a major accomplishment last year, and we must continue this progress with the REPO Implementation Act,” Cohen said. “This bill ensures that this blood money will now be put to good use supporting the Ukrainians who Putin has attacked. This is a matter of basic justice—the aggressor must pay for his aggression.”

The REPO Implementation Act of 2025 would:

• Transfer an estimated $5 billion in frozen Russian sovereign assets under U.S. jurisdiction into an interest-bearing account.
• Encourage the President to repurpose at least $250 million from that account to provide assistance to Ukraine every 90 days.
• Direct the Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury to lead diplomatic efforts encouraging U.S. allies to repurpose at least 5% of Russian sovereign assets in each country for Ukraine on the same timeline.
• Require regular reports detailing Russian sovereign assets held outside the United States.

Kean serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.