Britain pushes allies to boost Ukraine support as Zelensky lands in London
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (left) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are greeted by Ukranian schoolchildren as they arrive for a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in central London, on Oct 24.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
- Britain urges Ukraine's allies to use frozen Russian assets to strengthen Ukraine's negotiation position in future peace talks.
- PM Starmer wants "Coalition of the Willing" to remove Russian oil/gas from the market and supply Kyiv with long-range missiles.
- Zelensky seeks long-range missiles and asset use, welcoming sanctions on Russian oil companies, while Moscow threatens a response.
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LONDON - Britain on Oct 24 urged fellow allies of Ukraine to reach a deal to use frozen Russian assets to strengthen its hand for any future peace talks, as President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in London for talks with those allies.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office said he would also press the “Coalition of the Willing” countries to take Russian oil and gas off the global market, and give Kyiv more long-range missiles.
European Union leaders agreed on Oct 23 to meet Ukraine’s “pressing financial needs” for the next two years but stopped short of endorsing a plan to use frozen Russian assets
Mr Zelensky had asked the EU leaders in Brussels on Oct 23 for long-range missiles and to use the frozen assets to provide it with more weapons.
He also welcomed US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose sanctions
Mr Starmer said the Russian leader was not serious about ending the war.
“Time and again we offer Putin the chance to end his needless invasion, to stop the killing and recall his troops, but he repeatedly rejects those proposals and any chance of peace,” he said in a statement.
“We must ratchet up the pressure on Russia and build on President Trump’s decisive action.”
Painful response
Moscow has promised a “painful response” if the assets are seized. Mr Putin also said the sanctions on oil companies were an unfriendly act, but would not significantly affect the Russian economy.
In another bid to starve Moscow of revenue, the EU approved a 19th package of sanctions,
The Oct 24 talks in London were due to be a mixture of in-person and virtual, with Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expected to join Mr Starmer and Mr Zelensky in London.
Mr Zelensky began his visit by meeting King Charles at Windsor Castle. The king has frequently expressed his support for Ukraine, notably hosting Mr Zelensky at his private residence shortly after the Ukrainian leader’s stormy meeting with Mr Trump
