UK Prepared to Use Seized Russia's Holdings to Support the Ukrainian Defense
The UK is set to progress with using the total value of immobilized Russian holdings to support the Ukrainian war effort, PM Sir Keir Starmer has stated.
In a collective announcement, the leaders of the UK, France, and Germany emphasized that this joint measure would increase strain on Russian President Vladimir Putin and urge Moscow to participate in talks.
They clarified that the initiative would be carried out in close cooperation with the United States.
United Kingdom restrictions have frozen more than £25bn of Russia's funds since Moscow launched its comprehensive attack against Ukraine in 2022. Yet, up to this point, money allocated to Ukraine using Russia's funds had exclusively been drawn from profits and interest earned on them.
Sir Keir assured Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky that the UK, the French Republic, and the Federal Republic of Germany were united in their goal to advance efforts toward employing the complete amount of the seized Russia's state funds to end the war.
He noted that additional measures in the coming days and weeks would increase the strain on Russia.
This declaration comes after EU officials gathered in Copenhagen previously to debate employing frozen Russian assets for a €140bn loan to Ukraine.
In the previous month, President Donald Trump encouraged international partners to take or employ immobilized Russian assets, according to news outlets.
The worth of seized Russian funds in the European Union is assessed to be approximately €211bn.
President Zelensky urges UK's Sir Keir Starmer to participate in the weapons procurement programme
The Russian government carried out widespread missile and drone strikes across Ukraine on that day, causing electricity outages in many areas of Kyiv, the city, and several other zones.
Two people were lost their lives and a minimum of 20 people were wounded in the assault, authorities in Ukraine reported.
In a post on X following the incident, Zelensky stated that the cynical and calculated attack focused on public and utility structures.
"What is required is not mere statements but concrete steps - from the United States, Europe, and the Group of Seven - in providing air defence systems and applying restrictions," he emphasized.
"Each restrictive measure undermines the Russian war effort," Zelensky declared, in a different message.
In the same period, Zelensky stated to reporters he would encourage Sir Keir to join the Purl program, under which alliance members acquire weapons from the United States to provide to the Ukrainian forces.
While applauding the United Kingdom's consistent assistance for the Ukrainian government, he remarked it should indicate firmly that it would engage in the system, as well as enforce more measures on Russia.
Significant Attacks Cause Outages in Kyiv and Across Ukraine
- Ukraine War
- French Republic
- Germany
- Russia
- Ukrainian Nation