UK, Ukraine leaders unite to step up military aid, sanctions on Russia

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will reconvene the "coalition of the willing" in the coming weeks to advance the next phase of military support for Ukraine, Downing Street announced. The move comes as the UK pushes for allies to tighten the price cap on Russian oil to further squeeze Moscow’s energy revenues.

Speaking at the G7 summit in Canada, Starmer emphasised the need to strengthen restrictions on Russian crude oil exports. He dismissed suggestions that the coalition — aimed at assembling nations ready to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine — is stalled despite slow progress toward a ceasefire, Caliber.Az reports via British media.

During a bilateral meeting with Zelenskyy on the summit sidelines, the leaders agreed to accelerate military aid, stressing that a strong Ukraine is crucial for lasting peace. They also discussed ramping up economic pressure on Russia, with Starmer briefing Zelenskyy on new UK sanctions announced that day, targeting 20 Russian oil tankers, companies managing the vessels, and Russia’s shadow fleet.

Zelenskyy called for coordinated G7 sanctions against Russia’s energy, banking, shadow fleet, and military-industrial sectors to force an end to the war. Starmer confirmed ongoing talks to tighten the existing $60-per-barrel oil price cap, although achieving consensus remains challenging amid mixed signals from the US, where President Donald Trump has expressed reluctance to impose further sanctions until a peace deal with Ukraine is reached.

Starmer rejected the notion that plans for the peacekeeping coalition are defunct, saying military preparations continue to ensure any future ceasefire is enforced and violations prevented. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese indicated Canberra’s willingness to join the coalition if progress toward peace materialises.

The G7 leaders gathered in Kananaskis include heads of state from Canada, the US, France, Italy, Japan, Germany, and Britain. Beyond sanctions on the shadow fleet, the UK also targeted two residents involved in a network aiding Moscow and sanctioned Gugi, the Russian defence ministry’s underwater intelligence branch.

Starmer underscored the impact of sanctions in crippling Putin’s war effort, vowing to intensify pressure as Russia persists in its aggression. He stressed the importance of protecting national security amid the ongoing conflict, stating, "While Putin shows total disregard for peace, we will not hesitate to keep tightening the screws."

By Tamilla Hasanova