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UK Leads Coalition of the Willing Call to Hit Russia Harder With Its Own Frozen Wealth
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The United Kingdom has called on Ukraine’s allies to finalize a deal on using frozen Russian assets to strengthen Kyiv’s position in potential future peace negotiations, Reuters reported on October 24.
The appeal came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in London for talks with members of the Coalition of the Willing.
The Coalition of the Willing is a coalition of 33 countries which have pledged strengthened support for Ukraine against Russian aggression, going further than the support delivered by the Ukraine Defense Contact Group by pledging readiness to also be part of a peacekeeping force deployed on Ukrainian territory, either by providing troops or contributing in other ways.
The UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain would press its partners to remove Russian oil and gas from global markets and provide Ukraine with additional long-range missiles.
“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,” Starmer said, adding that the West must “ratchet up the pressure on Russia and build on President Trump’s decisive action,” Reuters wrote.
EU leaders agreed on October 23 to meet Ukraine’s financial needs for the next two years but stopped short of backing a plan to fund Kyiv with frozen Russian assets due to Belgian objections.
Moscow has warned of a “painful response” if those assets are seized, though Putin claimed the sanctions would not severely impact Russia’s economy.
The London meeting includes NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Zelenskyy began his visit with a meeting with King Charles at Windsor Castle before heading into high-level talks focused on energy sanctions and defense assistance, according to Reuters.
Previously, it was reported that the United Kingdom is prepared to send troops to Ukraine to help enforce a potential ceasefire with Russia, as part of the Coalition of the Willing.
