Britain Prepared to Use Immobilized Russia's Funds to Support Ukraine's Military Campaign

The UK is prepared to move forward with using the full worth of frozen Russia's assets to aid the Ukrainian military campaign, Leader Sir Keir Starmer has stated.

In a joint statement, the heads of state of the UK, France, and the Federal Republic of Germany stated that this coordinated action would escalate tension on Russian President Vladimir Putin and compel the Russian Federation to participate in talks.

They clarified that the initiative would be implemented in close cooperation with the United States.

United Kingdom restrictions have immobilized over £25bn of Russian assets since Moscow initiated its comprehensive attack against Ukraine in 2022. However, previously, funds allocated to the Ukrainian government using Russia's funds had solely been taken from profits and interest generated on them.

Sir Keir informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the UK, the French Republic, and the Federal Republic of Germany were in agreement in their aim to advance efforts toward utilizing the full value of the frozen Russian sovereign assets to halt hostilities.

He noted that further measures over the next period would increase the strain on Russia.

This statement is subsequent to EU officials gathered in the Danish capital recently to discuss employing seized Russia's funds for a €140 billion credit to the Ukrainian nation.

In the previous month, President Donald Trump encouraged Group of Seven partners to confiscate or employ frozen Russia's assets, based on news outlets.

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

President Zelensky urges UK's Sir Keir Starmer to take part in the Purl initiative

Moscow launched widespread missile and drone strikes across Ukraine on that day, causing electricity outages in many areas of Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and eight other regions.

Several persons were fatally injured and at least 20 people were injured in the attack, Ukrainian officials reported.

In a post on social media following the strike, Zelensky stated that the cynical and calculated attack targeted non-military and power facilities.

"What is required is not mere statements but firm measures - from the America, Europe, and the Group of Seven - in supplying air defence systems and enforcing restrictions," he emphasized.

"All penalty impositions undermines Moscow's military apparatus," Zelensky declared, in a separate post.

Additionally that day, Zelensky told reporters he would press Sir Keir to enter the PURL program, under which partner nations purchase arms from the America to give to the Ukrainian forces.

While applauding the UK's strong support for the Ukrainian government, he said it should demonstrate clearly that it would engage in the initiative, as well as enforce further restrictions on Russia.

Large-Scale Assaults Disrupt Electricity in the Capital and Across Ukraine

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