🔗 Share this article

The British government is set to progress with using the entire amount of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine's war effort, PM Sir Keir Starmer has announced.

In a collective announcement, the heads of state of the United Kingdom, the French Republic, and the Federal Republic of Germany stated that this coordinated action would escalate tension on Russia's leader Vladimir Putin and urge Russia to participate in talks.

They further noted that the decision would be executed in tight collaboration with the United States.

United Kingdom restrictions have frozen more than £25bn of Russia's resources since Russia began its full-scale invasion against Ukraine in 2022. But, until now, resources provided to the Ukrainian government using Russia's holdings had only been sourced from earnings and returns earned on them.

Sir Keir told Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky that the Britain, France, and the Federal Republic of Germany were united in their desire to push forward toward employing the full value of the frozen Russian sovereign funds to halt hostilities.

He noted that further sanctions soon would apply more pressure on Moscow.

This declaration follows EU officials convened in the Danish capital recently to discuss employing immobilized Russia's funds for a 140-billion-euro loan to Ukraine.

Recently, President Donald Trump encouraged international partners to confiscate or utilize immobilized Russian holdings, as reported by reports.

The worth of immobilized Russia's holdings in the European Union is estimated to be approximately €211bn.

President Zelensky urges the United Kingdom's Sir Keir Starmer to take part in the weapons procurement programme

Moscow carried out widespread aerial attacks all over the Ukrainian territory on Friday, leading to blackouts in many areas of the capital city, the city, and eight other regions.

Two people were fatally injured and at least 20 people were injured in the assault, the Ukrainian government stated.

In a post on social media following the strike, Zelensky wrote that the premeditated assault focused on civilian and energy infrastructure.

"What's needed is not just talk but concrete steps - from the America, EU, and the seven nations - in delivering anti-aircraft weapons and enforcing sanctions," he emphasized.

"Every sanction decision undermines the Russian war effort," Zelensky declared, in a different message.

In the same period, Zelensky informed the press he would press Sir Keir to join the Purl programme, under which Nato countries buy military equipment from the America to give to Ukraine.

While praising the UK's strong support for the Ukrainian government, he noted it should send a clear signal that it would engage in the initiative, as well as apply more restrictions on the Russian Federation.

Large-Scale Assaults Disrupt Electricity in Kyiv and Across Ukraine

• War in Ukraine
• French Republic
• Federal Republic of Germany
• Russian Federation
• Ukrainian Nation