🔗 Share this article

The United Kingdom is ready to advance with utilizing the total value of frozen Russian holdings to bolster Ukraine's defense operations, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has declared.

In a shared declaration, the officials of the UK, France, and the Federal Republic of Germany emphasized that this unified step would escalate tension on Russian President Vladimir Putin and compel the Russian Federation to engage in negotiations.

They added that the move would be implemented in close cooperation with the United States.

United Kingdom restrictions have blocked more than £25bn of Russia's assets since the Russian government began its full-scale invasion against Ukraine in 2022. Yet, previously, money provided to the Ukrainian government using Russian funds had solely been drawn from gains and dividends earned on them.

Sir Keir assured President Volodymyr Zelensky that the Britain, France, and the Federal Republic of Germany were in agreement in their aim to drive progress toward using the complete amount of the immobilized Russian sovereign holdings to end the war.

He stated that additional restrictions soon would heighten the tension on Russia.

This announcement comes after European officials convened in the Danish capital last week to discuss utilizing immobilized Russia's funds for a €140bn credit to the Ukrainian nation.

Last month, President Donald Trump called on Group of Seven partners to confiscate or employ immobilized Russia's holdings, based on reports.

The total of immobilized Russian funds in the Europe is calculated to be nearly €211bn.

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

Russia carried out extensive aerial attacks throughout the Ukrainian territory on Friday, causing electricity outages in many areas of Kyiv, the city, and multiple additional areas.

Two people were lost their lives and no fewer than 20 people were hurt in the assault, the Ukrainian government said.

In a update on X after the incident, Zelensky stated that the cynical and calculated attack targeted civilian and energy infrastructure.

"What's needed is not just talk but concrete steps - from the US, Europe, and the G7 - in supplying air defence systems and enforcing penalties," he emphasized.

"Each restrictive measure undermines Moscow's military apparatus," Zelensky declared, in a separate post.

Additionally that day, Zelensky stated to the press he would encourage Sir Keir to enter the weapons procurement programme, under which Nato countries buy arms from the US to give to Ukraine.

While commending the United Kingdom's firm backing for Ukraine, he noted it should indicate firmly that it would take part in the system, as well as impose additional sanctions on the Russian Federation.

Major Russian Strikes Cause Outages in Kyiv and Throughout the Nation

• Conflict in Ukraine
• French Republic
• Federal Republic of Germany
• Russia
• Ukrainian Nation