🔗 Share this article

The United Kingdom is ready to advance with utilizing the entire amount of immobilized Russia's funds to bolster the Ukrainian defense operations, PM Sir Keir Starmer has stated.

In a joint statement, the officials of the United Kingdom, France, and the Federal Republic of Germany asserted that this joint measure would escalate tension on Russia's leader Vladimir Putin and urge Moscow to engage in negotiations.

They further noted that the move would be executed in strong partnership with the US.

UK sanctions have frozen over £25bn of Russia's funds since Russia began its widespread offensive against the Ukrainian nation in 2022. However, previously, money provided to the Ukrainian government using Russian funds had exclusively been taken from profits and interest earned on them.

Sir Keir told Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky that the UK, France, and Germany were united in their desire to drive progress toward employing the total worth of the frozen Russia's state funds to halt hostilities.

He stated that further restrictions over the next period would heighten the tension on Russia.

This announcement comes after EU representatives gathered in Copenhagen previously to discuss employing seized Russian funds for a €140bn financial aid to Ukraine.

Last month, US President Donald Trump urged G7 allies to confiscate or otherwise use immobilized Russia's funds, based on news outlets.

The value of frozen Russia's funds in the EU is estimated to be approximately €211bn.

President Zelensky encourages the United Kingdom's Sir Keir Starmer to join the Purl programme

Russia executed extensive bombardments all over Ukraine on that day, resulting in power cuts in large parts of Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and eight other regions.

Two people were lost their lives and no fewer than 20 people were wounded in the attack, Ukrainian officials stated.

In a message on X subsequent to the incident, Zelensky wrote that the premeditated assault focused on non-military and power facilities.

"The necessity is not mere statements but concrete steps - from the US, EU, and the seven nations - in providing defense mechanisms and implementing penalties," he wrote.

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

In the same period, Zelensky told reporters he would urge Sir Keir to join the Purl program, under which alliance members acquire military equipment from the United States to give to the Ukrainian forces.

While commending the Britain's consistent assistance for Kyiv, he remarked it should indicate firmly that it would take part in the program, as well as enforce further sanctions on Moscow.

Significant Attacks Disrupt Electricity in Kyiv and Nationwide

• Conflict in Ukraine
• France
• Federal Republic of Germany
• Russia
• Ukraine