Britain Prepared to Utilize Seized Russian Holdings to Support Ukraine's Defense

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The United Kingdom is set to progress with utilizing the total value of frozen Russia's holdings to aid Ukraine's military campaign, PM Sir Keir Starmer has announced.

In a shared declaration, the officials of the United Kingdom, France, and the Federal Republic of Germany emphasized that this coordinated action would increase strain on Russian President Vladimir Putin and urge Russia to come to the table.

They further noted that the initiative would be executed in close cooperation with the US.

UK penalties have immobilized in excess of £25bn of Russia's resources since the Russian government launched its widespread offensive against Ukraine in 2022. But, up to this point, funds allocated to the Ukrainian government using Russia's holdings had only been taken from earnings and returns earned on them.

Sir Keir told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the United Kingdom, the French Republic, and the Federal Republic of Germany were in agreement in their desire to push forward toward utilizing the complete amount of the seized Russian sovereign assets to end the war.

He added that additional sanctions over the next period would increase the strain on Moscow.

This announcement follows European Union officials met in the Danish capital last week to debate using seized Russian assets for a 140-billion-euro credit to the Ukrainian nation.

Recently, American leader Donald Trump urged G7 allies to seize or otherwise use seized Russian assets, according to news outlets.

The total of frozen Russian holdings in the EU is calculated to be nearly €211bn.

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

Moscow launched large-scale aerial attacks throughout the Ukrainian territory on that day, leading to power cuts in large parts of the capital city, Kyiv, and multiple additional areas.

Two people were killed and at least 20 people were hurt in the assault, authorities in Ukraine said.

In a message on X after the attack, Zelensky wrote that the strategic strike aimed at civilian and energy infrastructure.

"What is required is not just talk but firm measures - from the United States, Europe, and the G7 - in supplying air defence systems and enforcing sanctions," he emphasized.

"All penalty impositions weakens Russia's war machine," Zelensky noted, in a different message.

Additionally that day, Zelensky stated to media outlets he would urge Sir Keir to enter the PURL scheme, under which Nato countries purchase arms from the US to donate to Ukraine.

While commending the United Kingdom's firm backing for Kyiv, he said it should demonstrate clearly that it would take part in the program, as well as enforce more sanctions on Russia.

Major Russian Strikes Cause Outages in the Capital and Nationwide

  • Ukraine War
  • France
  • Federal Republic of Germany
  • Russia
  • Ukrainian Nation
Jerry Porter
Jerry Porter

Award-winning photographer and visual storyteller with over a decade of experience capturing landscapes and urban scenes across Europe.