🔗 Share this article

The United Kingdom is prepared to move forward with using the entire amount of seized Russian holdings to aid the Ukrainian war effort, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced.

In a shared declaration, the leaders of the United Kingdom, the French Republic, and the Federal Republic of Germany asserted that this unified step would escalate tension on Russia's leader Vladimir Putin and urge the Russian Federation to participate in talks.

They further noted that the initiative would be carried out in tight collaboration with the US.

United Kingdom sanctions have immobilized more than £25bn of Russian assets since the Russian government launched its comprehensive attack against the Ukrainian nation in 2022. However, previously, funds sent to Ukraine using Russia's funds had solely been sourced from profits and interest generated on them.

Sir Keir informed President Volodymyr Zelensky that the UK, France, and the Federal Republic of Germany were aligned in their desire to push forward toward using the complete amount of the frozen Russia's state assets to end the war.

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

This declaration is subsequent to European Union representatives gathered in Copenhagen recently to discuss using seized Russia's holdings for a 140-billion-euro loan to the Ukrainian nation.

In the previous month, American leader Donald Trump called on Group of Seven partners to take or utilize frozen Russian funds, according to media sources.

The value of frozen Russian holdings in the EU is calculated to be approximately €211bn.

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

The Russian government launched extensive aerial attacks all over Ukraine on Friday, leading to blackouts in large parts of the capital city, the city, and eight other regions.

A pair of individuals were killed and no fewer than 20 people were injured in the assault, authorities in Ukraine reported.

In a update on social media following the incident, Zelensky commented that the cynical and calculated attack targeted public and utility structures.

"What's needed is not mere statements but firm measures - from the US, Europe, and the G7 - in delivering anti-aircraft weapons and implementing sanctions," he emphasized.

"All penalty impositions undermines Russia's war machine," Zelensky wrote, in a separate post.

Also on Friday, Zelensky told reporters he would urge Sir Keir to join the PURL programme, under which partner nations buy weapons from the United States to donate to Ukraine.

While praising the UK's consistent assistance for Kyiv, he said it should send a clear signal that it would take part in the initiative, as well as apply further restrictions on the Russian Federation.

Major Russian Strikes Disrupt Electricity in the Capital and Throughout the Nation

• Ukraine War
• France
• Germany
• Russia
• Ukraine