Sir Keir Starmer has declared that the 'coalition of the willing' will take Russian oil and gas off the global market, aiming to 'choke off funding for Russia's war'. Speaking at a press conference in London after talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other Western allies, the Prime Minister stressed that 'Ukraine's future is our future'.
Starmer confirmed he is determined to push ahead with releasing funds from frozen Russian assets and highlighted the need for speed on reparations. He also announced that the UK would provide additional missiles to bolster Ukraine's air defence during the winter, as part of efforts to strengthen the country's protection against Russian attacks.
President Zelenskyy accused Russia of waging a 'campaign of terror' against Ukraine's energy system to make 'winter cold' for civilians. He said diplomacy only matters when it leads to real decisions, and called for sanctions, long-range weapons, accountability for war crimes, and action on frozen assets. Zelenskyy also revealed that Ukraine now produces nearly 60% of its weapons domestically but still depends on Western supplies for air defence systems.
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte said it is for individual allies to decide which weapons to supply, when asked about the potential provision of long-range Tomahawk missiles by the US. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that European finances would boost Ukraine's war effort and that significant steps had been taken to target Russia's energy sector, adding that allies must reach a solution on reparation loans before Christmas.
The coalition will maintain military pressure on Putin and continue work on multinational security arrangements for when peace comes, Starmer said. The leaders are determined to 'dial up the pressure' on the Russian president and bring him to the negotiating table in good faith.
