Britain has declared its readiness to tap into the full amount of Russian assets frozen under sanctions to strengthen Ukraine’s defence against Moscow’s ongoing invasion.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer made the announcement alongside France and Germany, saying the coordinated action is meant to intensify pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin and encourage peace talks. The three nations said their decision would move forward “in close cooperation” with the United States.
Since 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale assault on Ukraine, the UK has frozen more than £25 billion of Russian assets. Previously, only profits and interest earned from these holdings had been directed to support Ukraine’s resistance.
Starmer told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the three countries were “united in wanting to drive progress towards using the full value of the immobilised Russian sovereign assets to end the war.”
He said more sanctions were expected “in the coming days and weeks” to tighten the squeeze on Moscow.
The plan follows talks in Copenhagen last week, where European leaders discussed using the frozen funds for a €140 billion loan to Kyiv. Across the European Union, Russian assets valued at about €211 billion (£181 billion) remain immobilised.
Meanwhile, Ukraine endured another wave of heavy missile and drone attacks on Friday that left parts of Kyiv and eight other regions without electricity.
Officials reported two deaths and at least 20 injuries. In a message on X, Zelensky described the strikes as a “cynical and calculated attack” targeting civilian and energy facilities.
He urged Western nations to act swiftly, saying, “What’s needed is not empty words but decisive action - from the United States, Europe and the G7 - in delivering air defence systems and enforcing sanctions.” In another post, he added, “Every sanction decision weakens Russia's war machine.”
Speaking to the BBC, Zelensky said he would ask Starmer to have the UK join the PURL programme, which allows NATO members to buy American weapons for Ukraine.
He praised Britain’s long-standing support but insisted it should show further commitment by joining the initiative and introducing additional sanctions against Russia.