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The UK is set to progress with employing the total value of seized Russia's assets to support the Ukrainian war effort, PM Sir Keir Starmer has stated.

In a joint statement, the heads of state of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany asserted that this unified step would heighten pressure on Russia's leader Vladimir Putin and urge Moscow to come to the table.

They added that the initiative would be implemented in tight collaboration with the United States.

UK restrictions have frozen in excess of £25bn of Russian funds since Moscow launched its widespread offensive against the Ukrainian nation in 2022. Yet, up to this point, funds sent to the Ukrainian government using Russia's funds had exclusively been sourced from profits and interest accrued on them.

Sir Keir informed President Volodymyr Zelensky that the United Kingdom, France, and Germany were aligned in their aim to push forward toward employing the total worth of the immobilized Russian sovereign holdings to halt hostilities.

He added that more measures in the coming days and weeks would heighten the tension on the Russian government.

This announcement is subsequent to European leaders convened in Copenhagen recently to discuss using seized Russia's holdings for a €140bn loan to Ukraine.

Last month, US President Donald Trump encouraged Group of Seven partners to take or otherwise use seized Russian holdings, according to reports.

The value of frozen Russian assets in the EU is estimated to be nearly €211bn.

Leader Zelensky encourages the United Kingdom's Sir Keir Starmer to participate in the weapons procurement programme

The Russian government executed widespread missile and drone strikes across the Ukrainian territory on Friday, causing power cuts in many areas of Kyiv, the city, and eight other regions.

Several persons were lost their lives and a minimum of 20 people were wounded in the attack, authorities in Ukraine stated.

In a message on an online platform following the incident, Zelensky stated that the premeditated assault targeted civilian and energy infrastructure.

"The necessity is not just talk but decisive action - from the United States, the European Union, and the seven nations - in supplying defense mechanisms and implementing restrictions," he emphasized.

"Every sanction decision diminishes the Russian war effort," Zelensky declared, in a additional update.

Also on Friday, Zelensky stated to reporters he would encourage Sir Keir to join the weapons procurement programme, under which partner nations purchase weapons from the America to give to the Ukrainian forces.

While praising the Britain's consistent assistance for Ukraine, he remarked it should send a clear signal that it would take part in the initiative, as well as enforce more measures on Russia.

Large-Scale Assaults Disrupt Electricity in Kyiv and Nationwide

• War in Ukraine
• France
• Germany
• Russian Federation
• Ukraine