🔗 Share this article

The British government is prepared to move forward with using the full worth of seized Russia's assets to bolster the Ukrainian defense operations, PM Sir Keir Starmer has declared.

In a joint statement, the officials of the Britain, the French Republic, and the Federal Republic of Germany stated that this coordinated action would heighten pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin and urge Russia to come to the table.

They added that the initiative would be executed in strong partnership with the US.

United Kingdom penalties have immobilized in excess of £25bn of Russian funds since Moscow initiated its widespread offensive against Ukraine in 2022. Yet, until now, money allocated to Ukraine using Russian funds had exclusively been sourced from earnings and returns generated on them.

Sir Keir informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the United Kingdom, the French Republic, and the Federal Republic of Germany were aligned in their aim to push forward toward employing the complete amount of the immobilized Russia's state funds to end the war.

He noted that more measures in the coming days and weeks would heighten the tension on the Russian government.

This statement comes after EU leaders met in Copenhagen previously to consider utilizing frozen Russian assets for a €140bn credit to the Ukrainian nation.

Last month, President Donald Trump called on international partners to confiscate or employ frozen Russian assets, as reported by reports.

The value of seized Russia's assets in the EU is calculated to be almost €211bn.

President Zelensky encourages Britain's Sir Keir Starmer to take part in the weapons procurement programme

Russia carried out extensive aerial attacks all over Ukraine on that day, resulting in electricity outages in many areas of the capital city, Kyiv, and multiple additional areas.

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

In a message on X after the strike, Zelensky wrote that the cynical and calculated attack targeted non-military and power facilities.

"What's needed is not just talk but firm measures - from the America, Europe, and the Group of Seven - in providing defense mechanisms and implementing penalties," he wrote.

"Every sanction decision weakens the Russian war effort," Zelensky wrote, in a additional update.

Also on Friday, Zelensky told reporters he would urge Sir Keir to participate in the Purl programme, under which Nato countries acquire weapons from the US to provide to the Ukrainian forces.

While praising the UK's strong support for Ukraine, he remarked it should indicate firmly that it would participate in the program, as well as impose additional restrictions on the Russian Federation.

Large-Scale Assaults Cut Power in the Capital and Nationwide

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