Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged allies to impose sanctions on all Russian oil companies and enhance Ukraine’s long-range missile capabilities. This call came following a meeting with European leaders in the United Kingdom.
At a joint news conference in London on Friday, Zelenskyy commended the United States for its recent sanctions against Russian oil giants Lukoil and Rosneft, while advocating for broader measures targeting Russia’s energy sector. He emphasized that sanctions against Russian oil infrastructure and companies represent a significant step forward. “I thank President Trump and all our partners who are implementing this,” he said.
Zelenskyy further stated that pressure should be applied not only to Rosneft and Lukoil but also to all Russian oil companies, as well as the shadow fleet and its associated infrastructure. The meeting included British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, among others.
Approximately 20 additional leaders participated via video link at the “Coalition of the Willing” meeting, a group committed to strengthening support for Ukraine. The gathering focused on addressing challenges such as protecting Ukraine’s power grid from frequent drone and missile attacks, reinforcing air defenses, and supplying longer-range missiles capable of striking deep into Russian territory.
Starmer described the discussions as leading to a “clear plan” for the remainder of the year, though no specific commitments were disclosed. “Working with the US, this coalition is determined to go further than ever to ratchet up the pressure on Putin,” he remarked.
Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukraine, targeting civilian areas and energy infrastructure ahead of the winter season. Recent days have seen rolling power cuts across the country, including in Kyiv, as electricity is rationed. Despite these efforts, Russian President Vladimir Putin has resisted peace negotiations, maintaining that the invasion of Ukraine is legitimate.
Dutch Prime Minister Schoof expressed support for the EU to adopt similar sanctions against Lukoil and Rosneft as those imposed by the United States. The EU recently introduced its 19th package of sanctions, which includes a full transaction ban on Rosneft and a halt to Russian liquefied natural gas imports starting in 2027.
The coalition also pledged to establish a framework for reparation loans to Ukraine by Christmas. Starmer called for the unfreezing of Russian assets to support Ukraine, although the EU declined to pursue this move due to opposition from Belgium.
Denmark’s Frederiksen emphasized the importance of securing financial support for Ukraine before Christmas to ensure funding for the coming years. “I am sure that we will be able to do that,” she said.
Analysts noted that optimism about a potential peace agreement remains distant, with the meeting reflecting a growing sense that Ukraine may face another winter of conflict. Al Jazeera’s Jonah Hull reported that the atmosphere was marked by a determination to prepare for prolonged warfare.
Meanwhile, fighting continues along the front lines. A Ukrainian drone struck an apartment building in a Moscow suburb on Friday, injuring a child and four others. The attack occurred in Krasnogorsk, a Moscow region town, marking a rare incident close to the Russian capital.
The incident followed a night of aerial strikes from both sides. Russia claimed to have shot down 111 Ukrainian drones, causing damage to homes and infrastructure, while Ukraine reported 128 drones launched by Moscow. In eastern Ukraine, Russian forces reportedly captured three more villages, according to statements from the Russian Defence Ministry.
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