London: More than 20 nations supporting Ukraine have pledged to take Russian oil and gas off the global market as part of a coordinated effort to cut Moscow’s war funding. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that the coalition aims to choke off resources for President Vladimir Putin’s war machine.
The commitment was made at a summit of the ‘coalition of the willing’ in London. The United Kingdom and the United States have imposed sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil firms, while the European Union has targeted liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that maintaining pressure on Russia remains the only effective path to ending the conflict.
The summit did not announce any new long-range missile supplies to Kyiv. President Zelenskyy has repeatedly argued that US-made Tomahawks and European missiles could raise the costs of war for Moscow by striking oil refineries and weapons depots deep inside Russian territory.
During talks in Washington last week, US President Donald Trump indicated to President Zelensky that the United States was not ready to provide Tomahawks. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that any attacks on Russian territory using such weapons would trigger an overwhelming response.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy | Cropped by BH
Prime Minister Starmer told reporters after the London meeting that President Putin is ‘not serious about peace’ and that Ukraine’s allies have agreed on a detailed plan for continued support through the rest of the year. The plan includes exploring ways to use Russia’s frozen sovereign assets to help finance Ukraine’s defence, though further details were not disclosed.
European Union leaders have agreed to support Ukraine’s financial needs for the next two years but have not yet decided on using frozen Russian assets worth €140 billion. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that a decision might be reached by Christmas Eve.
Participants in the London summit also pledged to reinforce Ukraine’s air defences amid persistent Russian attacks on energy infrastructure and civilian areas. President Zelenskyy warned that Moscow intends to make the winter cold another weapon against Ukraine.
Despite firm statements of unity, the summit did not produce specific commitments to change the battlefield situation or compel the Kremlin to negotiate. Citizens in Ukraine, facing electricity shortages, heating disruptions, and frequent bombings, have expressed concern that the conflict will continue indefinitely.
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