Keir Starmer hosted “Coalition of the Willing” talks in London on Friday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other world leaders attended. They discussed multiple steps to support Ukraine. These included removing Russian oil and gas from the global market and supplying Kyiv with long-range missiles.
After the meeting, Starmer said there was “absolute clarity” that frozen Russian assets must be used quickly to fund loans for Ukraine.
Strengthening Ukraine’s Defences
Starmer announced that the UK would send more missiles to boost Ukraine’s air defences over winter.
NATO chief Mark Rutte said US President Donald Trump was still reviewing whether to send Tomahawk missiles. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof urged the EU to follow the UK and US in sanctioning Russian oil firms.
Starmer confirmed that military pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin will continue. He added that allied nations are building a multinational security framework for Ukraine once peace is achieved.
“Ukraine’s future is our future,” The Guardian quoted Starmer as saying.
“We are determined to act now to dial up the pressure on Putin and finally bring him to the negotiating table in good faith,” he added.
EU Frozen Assets Debate
On Thursday, EU leaders did not approve using frozen Russian assets to fund a major loan for Ukraine. Belgium objected, as it holds hundreds of billions in Russian reserves.
At the Brussels summit, Zelenskyy urged EU leaders to supply long-range missiles and unlock frozen Russian assets for more weapons.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said EU leaders want a solution before the year ends.
“We have to work in a way that we have a solution before Christmas Eve so we are able to ensure that we can finance Ukraine for the next years,” Reuters quoted her. “I am sure that we will be able to do that,” she added.
Starmer welcomed the EU’s latest sanctions but stressed the need for speed.
Russia’s Response
Zelenskyy praised Trump’s sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies. He called it a “decisive step” against Moscow. This reversed Trump’s earlier plan to hold a summit with Putin.
Moscow warned of a “painful response” if Russian assets are seized. Putin called the sanctions an “unfriendly act” and said they would not significantly harm Russia’s economy.
Zelenskyy Meets King Charles III
Zelenskyy began his UK visit with a meeting with King Charles III at Windsor Castle. The monarch has been a strong supporter of Ukraine. He had previously hosted Zelenskyy at his private residence earlier this year, following a tense meeting between the Ukrainian president and Trump in February.