British PM acknowledges challenges in seizing frozen Russian assets for Ukraine support

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged the complexities involved in seizing frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, stating there is "no easy answer" to the issue during a parliamentary exchange.

The UK currently holds approximately £25 billion in frozen Russian assets, prompting calls from opposition figures for the government to pursue their confiscation to aid Ukraine’s ongoing conflict, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey welcomed recent sanctions imposed on two Israeli ministers and pressed for assurances that social and family carers would be prioritised in the upcoming spending review. Davey emphasised the availability of “better and fairer funding models” to address social care needs.

Responding, Starmer concurred that social care "does need to be fixed" but challenged Davey, saying he "cannot welcome extra funding while opposing the policies that fund it." The debate highlighted divergent views on how to effectively finance vital public services.

On the issue of the frozen Russian funds, Davey urged the Prime Minister to seek agreement at the forthcoming G7 summit to seize and redirect these assets to support Ukraine’s war effort. Starmer confirmed ongoing discussions with international allies but cautioned against oversimplification, stating, "But I don’t want to pretend to the house that there’s an easy answer on this, because there isn’t."

By Vafa Guliyeva