Sir Keir Starmer today pledged £35million more in emergency cash for Ukraine to help repair the country’s energy grid ahead of its third winter of war with Russia.
The Prime Minister annnounced the extra funding for Kyiv alongside fresh sanctions against Vladimir Putin‘s ‘shadow fleet’ carrying illicit Russian oil.
It came as Sir Keir attended day two of a Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) summit in Estonia, before he visited British troops serving on Russia’s border.
While meeting European allies in Estonian capital Tallinn, the PM said new sanctions against 20 vessels would ‘add further pressure to Putin’s stalling war economy’.
Ocean Faye, Andaman Skies and Mianzimu, which have each carried more than four million barrels of Russian oil in 2024, were among the 20 ships targeted.
Sanctions have also been slapped on 2Rivers DMCC and 2Rivers PTE LTD, which Downing Street branded ‘key lynchpins in enabling the trading of Putin’s precious oil’.
No10 said the UK had now sanctioned more than 100 ships for transporting Russian energy, including 93 oil tankers, more than any other nation.
Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Finland and Estonia have agreed to work together alongside Britain to tackle the ships.
Sir Keir Starmer pledged £35million more in emergency cash for Ukraine to help repair the country’s energy grid ahead of its third winter of war with Russia
The PM spoke to crew in the control room as he toured HMS Iron Duke in Tallinn, Estonia
Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Finland and Estonia have agreed to work together alongside Britain to tackle Vladimir Putin’s ‘shadow fleet’ carrying illicit Russian oil
The PM has said that Ukraine will need more funding and capability as the conflict continues
Sir Keir spoke to British troops after attending day two of a Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) summit in Estonia
The £35million in UK funding for Ukraine is made up of a £20million cash uplift for emergency energy needs such as making repairs to energy infrastructure and power generation.
The other £15million is for humanitarian support as temperatures drop in the winter.
Russia has launched 11 large-scale attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure this year.
Sir Keir said: ‘As Putin’s oil revenues continue to fuel the fires of his illegal war, Ukrainian families are enduring cold, dark nights, often without heating, light or electricity, targeted by Russia’s relentless missile attacks.
‘But these systematic attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure will not grind Ukraine down. It will only deepen our resolve and support.
‘These sanctions will add further pressure to Putin’s stalling war economy, just as we strengthen Ukraine’s hand with new funding for emergency support to meet its humanitarian needs and for vital repairs to the energy system, to help Ukrainians living through the third winter of Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion.’
After attending the JEF summit, the PM met with British troops serving on the Russian border in Estonia who are working to deter malign Russian threats.
He spoke to crew on board HMS Iron Duke in Tallinn.
Yesterday, the PM said that Ukraine will need more funding and capability as the conflict continues.
Asked what else could be done to support Ukraine, Sir Keirsaid: ‘There is an ever-increasing demand for more capability.
‘That is understandable, and Ukraine needs all the capability that it can get, so I think all of us have put in more capability into Ukraine by way of equipment.’
He added: ‘A lot of money has been raised, funding has been raised, but more is going to be needed.’