Image Credits-AFP
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has urged Western nations to take stronger measures in seizing Russian assets that were frozen following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In an article published in the Sunday Times to commemorate two years since the conflict began, Sunak emphasized the need for increased support for Ukraine, including the provision of long-range weapons, drones, munitions, and other forms of assistance.
Sunak stressed the importance of being more assertive in targeting the Russian war economy and seizing the hundreds of billions of frozen Russian assets. Last month, British Investment Minister Dominic Johnson held discussions with U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo regarding the potential seizure of these assets, underlining the necessity of conducting such actions in accordance with international law.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the European Union, United States, Japan, and Canada collectively froze around $300 billion of Russian central bank assets. The Group of Seven (G7) countries have been exploring the possibility of seizing these assets as a means of holding Russia accountable for the damage caused by its invasion of Ukraine.
Sunak also called upon the United States to continue providing both financial and military support to Ukraine, acknowledging the significant contributions made by the U.S. in bolstering Ukraine’s security and stability. He expressed confidence in the United States’ commitment to sustaining its support for Ukraine in the face of ongoing challenges.
In a separate development, Britain’s defence ministry recently announced a £245 million ($311 million) aid package to fund Ukrainian artillery ammunition, further demonstrating the UK’s commitment to assisting Ukraine in its defence efforts against Russian aggression.
As diplomatic efforts intensify and tensions remain high in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Sunak’s call for bolder action underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for coordinated international responses to address the ongoing crisis in Eastern Europe.
