UK Set to Use Immobilized Russian Holdings to Finance the Ukrainian Military Campaign

The UK is prepared to move forward with employing the full worth of seized Russian funds to support the Ukrainian defense operations, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has declared.

In a collective announcement, the leaders of the United Kingdom, the French Republic, and the Federal Republic of Germany emphasized that this unified step would increase strain on Russian President Vladimir Putin and urge Moscow to participate in talks.

They clarified that the initiative would be carried out in tight collaboration with the America.

British penalties have frozen more than £25bn of Russian funds since Russia began its full-scale invasion against Ukraine in 2022. But, previously, money sent to Ukraine using Russian assets had only been sourced from profits and interest generated on them.

Sir Keir assured President Volodymyr Zelensky that the United Kingdom, France, and the Federal Republic of Germany were united in their desire to push forward toward using the full value of the frozen Russian sovereign funds to end the war.

He added that more restrictions soon would heighten the tension on the Russian government.

This statement is subsequent to European leaders convened in Copenhagen recently to debate utilizing immobilized Russian funds for a €140 billion financial aid to Ukraine.

Last month, American leader Donald Trump called on international partners to take or utilize immobilized Russian holdings, based on news outlets.

The worth of immobilized Russian assets in the EU is calculated to be approximately €211bn.

Leader Zelensky encourages the United Kingdom's Sir Keir Starmer to join the PURL program

The Russian government carried out widespread missile and drone strikes all over Ukraine on Friday, leading to power cuts in many areas of the capital city, the city, and multiple additional areas.

Two people were killed and a minimum of 20 people were hurt in the attack, the Ukrainian government said.

In a message on social media after the incident, Zelensky wrote that the premeditated assault aimed at civilian and energy infrastructure.

"What's needed is not just talk but firm measures - from the US, EU, and the seven nations - in delivering defense mechanisms and enforcing restrictions," he emphasized.

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

Also on Friday, Zelensky stated to media outlets he would urge Sir Keir to enter the PURL scheme, under which alliance members acquire arms from the America to donate to Ukraine.

While commending the Britain's consistent assistance for the Ukrainian government, he remarked it should demonstrate clearly that it would engage in the program, as well as impose further sanctions on the Russian Federation.

Large-Scale Assaults Cut Power in Kyiv and Across Ukraine

• War in Ukraine
• France
• Federal Republic of Germany
• Russian Federation
• Ukraine