Britain Prepared to Use Frozen Russia's Assets to Fund Ukraine's Defense

The United Kingdom is prepared to move forward with utilizing the full worth of seized Russian holdings to bolster Ukraine's war effort, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has declared.

In a collective announcement, the leaders of the Britain, the French Republic, and the Federal Republic of Germany emphasized that this joint measure would heighten pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin and compel the Russian Federation to come to the table.

They added that the move would be implemented in strong partnership with the United States.

British penalties have blocked over £25bn of Russia's resources since Moscow initiated its full-scale invasion against the Ukrainian nation in 2022. But, until now, funds sent to the Ukrainian government using Russian assets had exclusively been taken from earnings and returns earned on them.

Sir Keir informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the United Kingdom, France, and Germany were in agreement in their goal to advance efforts toward utilizing the complete amount of the seized Moscow's national holdings to halt hostilities.

He noted that additional restrictions soon would apply more pressure on Russia.

This announcement comes after EU leaders convened in the Danish capital recently to discuss employing seized Russia's funds for a 140-billion-euro loan to the Ukrainian nation.

In the previous month, President Donald Trump called on G7 allies to confiscate or employ frozen Russia's assets, as reported by news outlets.

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

President Zelensky calls on Britain's Sir Keir Starmer to take part in the PURL programme

The Russian government executed large-scale missile and drone strikes throughout Ukraine on Friday, causing power cuts in large parts of the capital city, the city, and eight other regions.

A pair of individuals were lost their lives and no fewer than 20 people were wounded in the assault, authorities in Ukraine stated.

In a message on an online platform after the strike, Zelensky stated that the strategic strike aimed at non-military and power facilities.

"What is required is not just talk but firm measures - from the US, Europe, and the G7 - in supplying anti-aircraft weapons and applying restrictions," he emphasized.

"Each restrictive measure undermines Russia's war machine," Zelensky wrote, in a different message.

Additionally that day, Zelensky told reporters he would press Sir Keir to join the weapons procurement program, under which Nato countries acquire weapons from the US to give to the Ukrainian forces.

While applauding the United Kingdom's strong support for the Ukrainian government, he remarked it should send a clear signal that it would take part in the initiative, as well as apply further restrictions on Russia.

Large-Scale Assaults Cut Power in the Capital and Nationwide

• Conflict in Ukraine
• France
• Germany
• Russia
• Ukraine