🔗 Share this article

The British government is prepared to move forward with utilizing the total value of frozen Russian holdings to aid the Ukrainian military campaign, PM Sir Keir Starmer has declared.

In a joint statement, the heads of state of the United Kingdom, France, and the Federal Republic of Germany stated that this unified step would heighten pressure on Russia's leader Vladimir Putin and urge the Russian Federation to engage in negotiations.

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

British sanctions have frozen more than £25bn of Russian funds since the Russian government began its full-scale invasion against the Ukrainian nation in 2022. Yet, up to this point, resources provided to the Ukrainian government using Russia's funds had exclusively been sourced from profits and interest generated on them.

Sir Keir informed President Volodymyr Zelensky that the UK, France, and Germany were in agreement in their aim to advance efforts toward utilizing the complete amount of the immobilized Moscow's national assets to halt hostilities.

He stated that further measures in the coming days and weeks would heighten the tension on the Russian government.

This statement follows European Union representatives met in the Danish capital previously to consider using frozen Russia's holdings for a €140bn loan to Ukraine.

Last month, US President Donald Trump called on Group of Seven partners to confiscate or otherwise use immobilized Russian funds, according to news outlets.

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

President Zelensky urges UK's Sir Keir Starmer to participate in the Purl program

The Russian government carried out extensive missile and drone strikes throughout the Ukrainian territory on Friday, leading to blackouts in large parts of Kyiv, Kyiv, and multiple additional areas.

A pair of individuals were killed and at least 20 people were hurt in the strike, the Ukrainian government reported.

In a update on an online platform following the strike, Zelensky wrote that the cynical and calculated attack targeted public and utility structures.

"What is required is not just talk but concrete steps - from the America, Europe, and the Group of Seven - in providing anti-aircraft weapons and implementing restrictions," he emphasized.

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

Also on Friday, Zelensky stated to the press he would urge Sir Keir to participate in the weapons procurement scheme, under which alliance members buy military equipment from the US to donate to Ukraine.

While praising the Britain's strong support for Ukraine, he noted it should send a clear signal that it would participate in the program, as well as apply further measures on Russia.

Large-Scale Assaults Cut Power in the Capital and Throughout the Nation

• Ukraine War
• French Republic
• Germany
• Russian Federation
• Ukrainian Nation