“`html
More than 20 nations supporting Ukraine have pledged to curtail Russia’s access to global oil and gas markets, intensifying efforts to pressure President Vladimir Putin to end the ongoing conflict.
Following a summit in London, hosted by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, leaders of the coalition of supporting nations affirmed their commitment to “choke off funding for Russia’s war machine.”
Recent days have seen both the UK and US impose sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies, while the European Union has targeted Moscow’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, also present in London, emphasized that “pressure” on Russia remains the key to halting hostilities. However, the summit did not yield any announcements regarding the delivery of long-range missile systems.
President Zelensky has long advocated for the provision of US-made Tomahawk missiles and European counterparts, asserting their potential to increase the costs of the war for Moscow by targeting key military assets, including oil refineries and weapons depots, within Russian territory.
During discussions in Washington last week, US President Donald Trump signaled to President Zelensky that he was not yet prepared to supply Tomahawk missiles.
On Thursday, President Putin issued a warning, stating that if “such weapons are used to strike Russian Federation territory, the response will be… overwhelming.”
Russia initiated its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and presently controls approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean peninsula, which it annexed in 2014.
At a joint press conference following the London summit, Prime Minister Starmer asserted that President Putin was “not serious about peace.” Consequently, Ukraine’s allies have agreed upon a “clear plan for the rest of the year” to support Ukraine.
The UK Prime Minister further stated that this plan includes targeting Russia’s sovereign assets to “unlock billions to help finance Ukraine’s defence,” though he did not elaborate on the specifics.
On Thursday, EU leaders committed to supporting Ukraine’s “financial needs” for the next two years – but stopped short of agreeing to use frozen Russian assets worth €140bn (£122bn).
When asked about a proposed “reparations loan” for Ukraine funded by Russian assets, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed hope that a decision would be reached by Christmas Eve.
In London, the coalition also pledged to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses in response to near-daily Russian air assaults targeting Ukrainian civilians and energy infrastructure.
President Zelensky cautioned that Russia “wants to make the winter cold a tool of torment,” adding, “They want to break us.”
The leaders’ statements in London may prove disappointing for those who had hoped for specific details on how Kyiv’s allies intend to prevent Russian attacks on Ukraine.
Undoubtedly, much of what was said will be welcome news to Ukraine. For instance, Prime Minister Starmer affirmed that the UK and Ukraine’s other allies are prepared to escalate pressure on Moscow.
However, concrete examples of how the allies plan to effect change on the battlefield or compel President Putin to the negotiating table remained absent.
In Ukraine, several individuals who spoke with the BBC indicated that they were more focused on immediate concerns than on following President Zelensky’s trip to the UK.
Yana Kolomiets, from Odesa, reported a shortage of electricity, heating, and water in the southern city.
“The more scary thing is that the Russians started launching guided bombs on our region,” she added.
Tetiana Dankevych, from the capital Kyiv, stated that power outages and water supply problems resulting from Russian strikes were making life “very difficult.”
“I don’t have a feeling this war will end soon,” she said.
Further support for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure was among the issues discussed at the London summit; however, no specific announcements were made.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also participated in the London meeting, while other leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, joined via video link.
Ukraine and its Western allies have publicly agreed with Trump’s proposal that the fighting should be immediately frozen along the vast front line for negotiations to begin.
Russia has rejected this proposal, reiterating demands that Kyiv and its allies characterize as a de facto capitulation by Ukraine.
Earlier on Friday, President Zelensky held discussions with King Charles at Windsor – their third meeting this year.
City Hall says the mayor is working to ensure there is “justice for every victim” of child exploitation.
Firefighters use specialist equipment to rescue dachshund Tosca who got stuck 3ft (1m) underground.
A woman is taken to hospital following the crash in the early hours of this morning.
The US embassy went into lockdown after after a bag containing wires and an iPad was found, a court hears.
The grime MC is accused of causing the death by dangerous driving of a 20-year-old in Ilford.
“`