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The UK is set to progress with using the total value of frozen Russia's funds to bolster Ukraine's war effort, PM Sir Keir Starmer has stated.

In a shared declaration, the heads of state of the UK, the French Republic, and the Federal Republic of Germany stated that this joint measure would escalate tension on Russia's leader Vladimir Putin and persuade Russia to engage in negotiations.

They clarified that the initiative would be carried out in close cooperation with the United States.

UK sanctions have immobilized more than £25bn of Russian resources since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion against Ukraine in 2022. But, up to this point, funds provided to Ukraine using Russia's funds had only been taken from profits and interest generated on them.

Sir Keir assured President Volodymyr Zelensky that the UK, France, and the Federal Republic of Germany were in agreement in their goal to advance efforts toward employing the complete amount of the immobilized Russia's state funds to halt hostilities.

He stated that more sanctions soon would increase the strain on Russia.

This announcement follows EU officials gathered in the Danish capital recently to consider utilizing immobilized Russia's funds for a 140-billion-euro financial aid to the Ukrainian nation.

Recently, President Donald Trump encouraged Group of Seven partners to seize or utilize immobilized Russia's assets, as reported by news outlets.

The total of immobilized Russian assets in the EU is calculated to be nearly €211bn.

Leader Zelensky calls on UK's Sir Keir Starmer to join the Purl program

Moscow carried out extensive aerial attacks throughout Ukraine on Friday, leading to blackouts in large parts of Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and several other zones.

Several persons were fatally injured and a minimum of 20 people were hurt in the assault, Ukrainian officials reported.

In a post on X after the strike, Zelensky wrote that the cynical and calculated attack targeted non-military and power facilities.

"What's needed is not mere statements but firm measures - from the America, Europe, and the G7 - in supplying defense mechanisms and enforcing restrictions," he stated.

"Each restrictive measure weakens Moscow's military apparatus," Zelensky declared, in a additional update.

Also on Friday, Zelensky informed media outlets he would encourage Sir Keir to participate in the PURL scheme, under which Nato countries acquire weapons from the America to give to Ukraine.

While praising the UK's firm backing for Kyiv, he noted it should indicate firmly that it would engage in the initiative, as well as apply more measures on Moscow.

Major Russian Strikes Disrupt Electricity in the Capital and Across Ukraine

• Conflict in Ukraine
• France
• Federal Republic of Germany
• Russia
• Ukraine