LONDON (dpa-AFX) – More long-range weapons and the use of Russian assets to defend Ukraine: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wants to put the country attacked by Russia in the strongest possible position before winter. At the meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing in London, he tried to give momentum to the sluggish efforts of Kiev’s supporters.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj left with half-empty hands EU summit traveled to London from Brussels. The EU states were initially unable to agree on how to use the frozen Russian assets. A decision on this should be made shortly before Christmas, as EU Council President António Costa announced. However, due to considerable concerns from the central actor Belgium, it remains questionable whether the project can be implemented.
The EU states have “taken a very important step forward” in this regard, praised Starmer at a joint press conference with Zelensky, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof. This progress must now “bear fruit within a short time frame,” he said.
Chancellor Merz was represented by Foreign Minister Wadephul
At the meeting, a clear plan was agreed to get Ukraine through an expected difficult winter, explained Starmer. This includes, among other things, banning Russian oil and gas from global markets, providing more long-range weapons and clearing the way for the use of Russian assets to defend Ukraine. Together with the USA we need to put pressure on the Russian president “more than ever”. Vladimir Putin to increase, said the British Prime Minister after the meeting at the British Foreign Office. This is the only way to change Putin’s mind and bring him back to the negotiating table.
The USA recently imposed new sanctions against Russian oil companies for the first time under the administration of US President Donald Trump. In addition, a planned meeting between Trump and Putin in Budapest was scrapped.
The so-called Coalition of the Willing is a group of around two dozen states that, under the leadership of France and Great Britain, want to give Ukraine military security guarantees for the period after a possible ceasefire with Russia. Around 20 other heads of state and government were there virtually on Friday; Chancellor Friedrich Merz was represented by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (both CDU) after the EU summit.
Ukrainian need for domestic help estimated at 60 billion
It was primarily Merz and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen who promoted plans in Brussels to use money from the Russian Central Bank locked up in the EU to give Ukraine loans worth up to 140 billion euros. Russia should only get the money back if it makes reparations payments after the war of aggression ends. In the event that the frozen Russian money had to be unexpectedly released again, the EU states should provide guarantees.
The main reason for this is Ukraine’s enormous financial needs. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates the need for budget support for the functioning of the state in 2026 and 2027 at 60 billion US dollars (52 billion euros). In addition, there would probably be at least 80 billion euros for weapons and ammunition for the defensive fight against Russia – and this already takes into account that the war may not continue in its current form for a full two years.
Zelenskyj: Expand sanctions to other companies
The Ukrainian president pushed for an expansion of punitive measures after the US and British sanctions were imposed on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil. “We have to put pressure on all Russian oil companies like Surgutneftegaz and others,” said the Ukrainian. Punitive measures should also affect Russia’s oil terminals and the tankers of the Russian “shadow fleet”, which is used to circumvent international oil sanctions. Ukraine, for its part, is already increasing pressure on the Russian energy sector through attacks with drones and missiles.
At the same time, Zelensky renewed his request to the allies for a delivery of long-range weapons. “(Ukraine’s) extensive capabilities strengthen diplomacy,” said the head of state. The more losses Russia suffers on its own territory, the more likely Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin will be willing to engage in “sensible diplomacy.” The Ukrainian already called for something similar at the EU summit. “These long-range weapons are not just in the US – some European countries also have them, including tomahawks.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said at the press conference that the matter of Tomahawk cruise missiles would continue to be examined by US President Donald Trump. The decision rests with the USA. According to the manufacturer, the Tomahawks have a range of around 1,600 kilometers. This would allow Ukraine to attack targets in large parts of Russia. Of the European countries, Great Britain has tomahawks./pba/DP/he