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

Denmark’s Prime Miner Mette Frederiksen, from left, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Britain’s Prime Miner Keir Starmer, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Netherland’s Prime Miner Dick Schoof speak to the media after a meeting of the so-called “coalition of the willing” in London, Friday, Oct. 24, 2025.(AP Photo)

Ukraine’s European partners said on Friday that Russia’s frozen assets must be used as soon as possible to help fund Kyiv, as leaders met in London to discuss new ways to increase pressure on President Vladimir Putin.

British Prime Miner Keir Starmer hosted “Coalition of the Willing” talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other leaders. They discussed steps such as reducing Russian oil and gas on world markets and providing Ukraine with more long-range missiles.
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NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said US President Donald Trump was still considering whether to send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. Dutch Prime Miner 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.

Britain’s Prime Miner Keir Starmer, right, sits with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as he hosts a ‘Coalition of the Willing’ meeting of international partners on Ukraine at the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) in central London, Friday Oct. 24, 2025. (Photo: AP)

EU leaders on Thursday did not agree on a plan to use those funds, due to concerns raised 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 Miner Mette Frederiksen said a deal should be reached soon. “We have to work in a way that we have a solution before Chrmas 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.”

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, from left, Britain’s Prime Miner Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speak to the media after a meeting of the so-called “coalition of the willing” in London, Friday, Oct. 24, 2025.(AP Photo)

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 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 meeting King Charles at Windsor Castle. The king has previously shown support for Ukraine, including hosting Zelenskyy earlier this year.