‘Coalition of the Willing’ leaders want frozen Russian assets to be used quickly to aid Ukraine

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said US President Donald Trump was still considering whether to send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said the European Union should match US and British sanctions on major Russian oil companies.

Starmer said there was “absolute clarity” that progress on using frozen Russian assets for a loan to help Ukraine must happen quickly.

EU leaders on Thursday did not agree on a plan to use those funds, due to concerns raised by Belgium, where a large share of Russia’s central bank reserves are held.

Zelenskyy had already urged EU leaders in Brussels to supply long-range missiles and to use the frozen assets to provide more weapons for Ukraine.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said a deal should be reached soon. “We have to work in a way that we have a solution before Christmas Eve so we are able to ensure that we can finance Ukraine for the next years,” she said. “I am sure that we will be able to do that.”

Zelenskyy said he welcomed Trump’s move this week to impose sanctions on Russia’s two biggest oil firms. But Trump has said he is not yet ready to approve long-range Tomahawks for Ukraine.

Rutte said he raised the issue in talks with Trump. “The issue remains under review by the president and again, it’s up to the US to decide,” he said.

Moscow has warned of a “painful response” if its frozen assets are taken. Putin also said new US sanctions were unfriendly but would not seriously harm Russia’s economy.

Zelenskyy began his visit to Britain by meeting King Charles at Windsor Castle. The king has previously shown support for Ukraine, including hosting Zelenskyy earlier this year.