Britain Prepared to Use Seized Russian Assets to Support Ukraine's Defense
The UK is ready to advance with employing the entire amount of frozen Russian holdings to aid the Ukrainian defense operations, PM Sir Keir Starmer has announced.
In a collective announcement, the heads of state of the Britain, France, and the Federal Republic of Germany asserted that this coordinated action would escalate tension on Russia's leader Vladimir Putin and compel Russia to engage in negotiations.
They clarified that the initiative would be executed in tight collaboration with the America.
British sanctions have blocked more than £25bn of Russian resources since Moscow launched its comprehensive attack against Ukraine in 2022. But, until now, money allocated to Ukraine using Russia's assets had solely been drawn from earnings and returns generated on them.
Sir Keir assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the Britain, the French Republic, and Germany were in agreement in their aim to advance efforts toward utilizing the complete amount of the frozen Russian sovereign holdings to end the war.
He added that additional measures in the coming days and weeks would heighten the tension on Moscow.
This statement follows EU officials gathered in the Danish capital last week to debate employing frozen Russia's assets for a 140-billion-euro credit to the Ukrainian nation.
Last month, American leader Donald Trump called on international partners to seize or otherwise use seized Russia's assets, according to news outlets.
The value of immobilized Russia's assets in the European Union is calculated to be almost €211bn.
President Zelensky calls on UK's Sir Keir Starmer to participate in the PURL program
Russia launched widespread aerial attacks throughout the Ukrainian territory on Friday, causing blackouts in significant regions of Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and multiple additional areas.
Two people were fatally injured and at least 20 people were wounded in the strike, Ukrainian officials reported.
In a update on X after the incident, Zelensky stated that the premeditated assault aimed at civilian and energy infrastructure.
"What's needed is not mere statements but concrete steps - from the US, the European Union, and the seven nations - in delivering anti-aircraft weapons and applying penalties," he wrote.
"Each restrictive measure weakens the Russian war effort," Zelensky wrote, in a additional update.
Also on Friday, Zelensky stated to media outlets he would urge Sir Keir to enter the PURL programme, under which partner nations buy arms from the US to provide to Ukraine.
While applauding the UK's consistent assistance for Kyiv, he said it should indicate firmly that it would take part in the system, as well as apply more measures on Moscow.
Large-Scale Assaults Cut Power in the Capital and Across Ukraine
- War in Ukraine
- French Republic
- Germany
- Russia
- Ukrainian Nation
