🔗 Share this article

The UK is ready to advance with using the full worth of immobilized Russian funds to bolster Ukraine's defense operations, Leader Sir Keir Starmer has announced.

In a joint statement, the heads of state of the UK, the French Republic, and Germany emphasized that this coordinated action would increase strain on Moscow's head Vladimir Putin and urge Moscow to participate in talks.

They added that the initiative would be executed in close cooperation with the United States.

UK restrictions have blocked over £25bn of Russian resources since the Russian government initiated its full-scale invasion against the Ukrainian nation in 2022. However, until now, funds provided to the Ukrainian government using Russia's funds had exclusively been taken from gains and dividends earned on them.

Sir Keir informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the United Kingdom, France, and the Federal Republic of Germany were united in their desire to advance efforts toward using the complete amount of the immobilized Russia's state holdings to end the war.

He added that more restrictions over the next period would heighten the tension on the Russian government.

This announcement is subsequent to European Union officials convened in Copenhagen previously to discuss employing seized Russia's funds for a €140 billion loan to Ukraine.

Recently, President Donald Trump called on Group of Seven partners to confiscate or otherwise use immobilized Russian assets, as reported by media sources.

The total of immobilized Russia's funds in the Europe is calculated to be nearly €211bn.

President Zelensky urges UK's Sir Keir Starmer to join the PURL program

The Russian government launched extensive missile and drone strikes throughout Ukraine on that day, resulting in power cuts in significant regions of Ukraine's capital, the city, and eight other regions.

Two people were lost their lives and a minimum of 20 people were hurt in the assault, Ukrainian officials stated.

In a update on social media after the incident, Zelensky stated that the cynical and calculated attack aimed at public and utility structures.

"The necessity is not empty words but decisive action - from the America, the European Union, and the G7 - in delivering air defence systems and applying restrictions," he emphasized.

"All penalty impositions undermines the Russian war effort," Zelensky declared, in a different message.

Also on Friday, Zelensky informed reporters he would urge Sir Keir to enter the PURL programme, under which alliance members buy arms from the US to provide to the Ukrainian forces.

While praising the Britain's consistent assistance for the Ukrainian government, he remarked it should indicate firmly that it would engage in the program, as well as enforce additional measures on Russia.

Large-Scale Assaults Cut Power in the Capital and Nationwide

• Ukraine War
• France
• Federal Republic of Germany
• Russian Federation
• Ukrainian Nation