More than 20 countries supporting Ukraine have vowed to remove Russian oil and gas from global markets in a coordinated effort to increase pressure on Russia’s Vladimir Putin to end the war.
"We're choking off funding for Russia's war machine," said prime minister Keir Starmer after the “Coalition of the Willing” summit in London on Friday. Sir Keir added that the UK’s missile plan is “accelerating” in a bid to support Ukraine.
The pledge comes just days after the UK and the US sanctioned Russia's two biggest oil companies, while the EU targeted Moscow's liquefied natural gas exports to bring Mr Putin to the negotiating table.
Volodymyr Zelensky met with world leaders at the summit in an effort to push for long-range missiles that can strike deep inside Russia. Sir Keir said the group also discussed ways of helping protect Ukraine's power grid from Russia's almost daily drone and missiles attacks as winter approaches.
Mr Zelensky added Russia would aim to use the cold winter as a tool to pressure Kyiv as he urged allies to introduce sanctions against all Russian oil companies, its shadow fleet and oil terminals to disrupt Moscow's ability to fund its war.
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Key Points
- Trump to push China for Russia peace deal
- Ukraine allies vow to take Russian oil and gas off market
- UK will accelerate programme to provide Ukraine with missiles, Starmer says
- Watch: Coalition of the Willing leaders urge more pressure on Russia to end Ukraine war
Ukraine foiled plans to reconnect Zaporizhzhia power plant in time for Putin’s birthday
07:10
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Ukrainian forces operating behind enemy lines derailed Russia’s hopes of reconnecting the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station before Vladimir Putin’s birthday earlier this month, sources have claimed.
Ukrainian sources told The Guardian that they believed Russia was trying to bring power back to the plant in time for the president’s birthday on 7 October, after it lost external power in late September.
Europe’s largest power station, which has been in Russian control since early in the invasion, was forced to operate on diesel backup generators after its last remaining external power line was severed on 23 September. Russia and Ukraine blamed each other.
James C. Reynolds has more.
Eight injured in Russian attack on Kyiv
06:40
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
At least eight people suffered injuries after Russia fired ballistic missiles in an overnight attack on Kyiv.
Explosions were heard in Kyiv just before 4 am local time, Kyiv Independent reported.
Tymur Tkachenko, the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said fire broke out at multiple locations on the left bank of the Ukrainian capital.
Which countries buy Russian oil – and what impact will sanctions have?
06:10
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The US has this week imposed new sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia’s two largest petroleum-producing companies.
After efforts to negotiate an end to Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine appeared to come to a standstill, the Trump administration made the move in a bid to “increase pressure on Russia’s energy sector” and “degrade the Kremlin’s ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support its weakened economy”.
So how much impact could the move have, and what are the implications for countries who rely on Russia to supply their oil?
China, India and Turkey are the biggest recipients of Russian oil that used to go to the European Union. The EU’s decision to boycott most Russian seaborne oil from January 2023 led to a massive shift in crude flows from Europe to Asia.
Since then, China has been the No 1 overall consumer of Russian energy, having purchased some $219.5bn (£164bn) worth of Russian oil, gas and coal, followed by India ($133.4bn/£100bn) and Turkey ($90.3bn/£67.7bn).
Karl Matchett reports.
Trump to push China for Russia peace deal
05:40
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
US president Donald Trump said that he would like China to help Washington in its dealings with Russia.
"I'd like China to help us out with Russia," he told reporters aboard Air Force One. "I'd like to see China help us out."
Mr Trump, who left Washington on Friday night, is set for a five-day trip to Malaysia, Japan and South Korea, his first to the region and longest journey abroad since taking office in January.
He will meet Chinese president Xi Jinping in South Korea later this week.
France to send more Aster missiles and Mirage jets to Ukraine
05:20
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
French president Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will soon supply Ukraine with additional Aster missiles for its SAMP/T air defence systems, along with Mirage-2000 fighter jets.
"In the coming days, we will deliver additional Aster missiles, new training programs and new Mirage aircraft. It is very important to continue our efforts to support Ukraine and put pressure on Russia," Mr Macron said during a meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing".
France and the UK had earlier supplied Ukraine with SCALP and Storm Shadow long-range missiles, which were most recently used in a strike on a Russian chemical plant in the Bryansk region.
The first French Mirage-2000 fighters arrived in Ukraine in February 2025, according to reports.
Starmer vows Ukraine allies will take Russian oil and gas off market
05:03
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Allied nations have pledged to act to take Russian oil and gas off the global market, Sir Keir Starmer said, after leaders gathered with Volodymyr Zelensky in London.
The prime minister urged other nations to follow the US and impose sanctions, and said allies had agreed on a “clear plan for the rest of the year” in supporting Kyiv.
Among the further pledges were plans to “push on with the progress” on Russian assets and “keep up the military pressure on Putin” as the conflict heads towards its fourth winter.
The UK also said it would “accelerate” its missile production programme to get more weapons to Ukraine.
Caitlin Doherty reports.
Two killed in Russian strikes on Kherson
04:55
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
At least two people were killed and two dozen others suffered injuries after Russian artillery struck a residential block in the southeastern city of Kherson yesterday, Ukrainian authorities said.
Russian planes also dropped at least five powerful glide bombs on the northeastern city of Kharkiv, injuring six people and damaging homes, according to Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov.
And for the first time, Russia fired glide bombs on Ukraine's southern Odesa region yesterday, according to Oleh Kiper, head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, calling it "a new, serious threat" in the area.
Glide bombs are significantly cheaper than missiles and carry a heavier payload.
In pics: Fighting continues in Donetsk
04:25
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Russia says it has captured Ukrainian villages
04:20
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The Russian Defence Ministry has claimed that over the past week its forces have captured 10 Ukrainian villages.
The small conquests are part of Russia's slow but steady slog to envelop the remaining Ukrainian strongholds in the Donetsk region from both the north and the south and create footholds for pressing further west into the Dnipropetrovsk region.
The Defence Ministry also said its forces downed 111 Ukrainian drones over several regions overnight, with debris causing damage to homes and infrastructure
.Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that air defenses downed three drones heading to the city, which forced flights to be suspended at two Moscow airports.
Zelensky urges US to broaden Russian oil sanctions
04:00
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the US to expand sanctions on Russian oil from two companies to the whole sector, and appealed for long-range missiles to hit back at Russia.
Mr Zelensky was in London for talks with two dozen European leaders who have pledged military help to shield his country from future Russian aggression if a ceasefire stops the more than three-year war.
The meeting hosted by British prime minister Keir Starmer aimed to step up pressure on Russian president Vladimir Putin, adding momentum to recent measures that have included a new round of sanctions from the United States and European countries on Russia's vital oil and gas export earnings.
The talks also addressed ways of helping protect Ukraine's power grid from Russia's almost daily drone and missiles attacks as winter approaches, enhancing Ukrainian air defenses, and supplying Kyiv with longer-range missiles that can strike deep inside Russia. Zelenskyy has urged the US to send Tomahawk missiles, an idea President Donald Trump has flirted with.
The Ukrainian leader said Mr Trump's decision this week to impose oil sanctions was "a big step," and said "we have to apply pressure not only to Rosneft and Lukoil, but to all Russian oil companies".
"Besides, we are carrying out our own campaign of pressure with drones and missiles specifically targeting the Russian oil sector," he said during a news conference at the Foreign Office in London.
Watch: Zelensky and Starmer meet ahead of the 'Coalition of the Willing' summit
03:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
ICYMI: King Charles greets Zelensky with ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle
02:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Leaders will 'continue working with US', Zelensky says
01:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Zelensky has said European leaders will “continue working with the United States’ to deliver key security guarantees for Ukraine.
In a post on X, the Ukrainian president wrote: “I am grateful for the shared position on the need to further increase pressure on Russia and continue work with the United States on developing clear and reliable security guarantees for Ukraine.”
Ahead of the Coalition of the Willing meeting, I met with @Keir_Starmer, Mette Frederiksen @Statsmin, @MinPres Dick Schoof, @SecGenNATO Mark Rutte, and @EmmanuelMacron who joined online, to coordinate steps to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities and protect critically… pic.twitter.com/CCSqj8wsJ7
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 24, 2025
UK judge sentences 5 men for roles in Russia-linked arson attack in London
Saturday 25 October 2025 00:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
A British judge on Friday sentenced five men for their roles in an arson attack in London that authorities say was masterminded by Russian intelligence as part of a wider campaign of sabotage and disruption.
The men were involved in a plot to set fire to a warehouse in east London in March 2024 that contained satellite communication devices destined for Ukraine.
The sentences ranged from seven to 17 years in prison.
You can read the full report below...
ICYMI: Ukraine foiled plans to reconnect Zaporizhzhia power plant in time for Putin’s birthday
Friday 24 October 2025 23:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Ukrainian forces operating behind enemy lines derailed Russia’s hopes of reconnecting the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station before Vladimir Putin’s birthday earlier this month, sources have claimed.
Sources told The Guardian that they believed Russia was trying to bring power back to the plant in time for the president’s birthday on 7 October, after it lost external power in late September.
Watch: King Charles welcomes Zelensky to Windsor Castle
Friday 24 October 2025 22:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Why are leaders struggling to push through plans to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine?
Friday 24 October 2025 22:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
One idea that has been continually floated to help support Ukraine in its fight against Russia is a reparation loan scheme using frozen Russian assets to support Kyiv.
But the biggest tranche of those assets, some $225 billion worth, is held in Belgium, and the Belgian government is wary of using the money without firm guarantees from other EU countries.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever insisted on Thursday that his European partners must share the risk of using billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets held in his country to help keep Ukraine’s economy and war effort afloat in the coming years.
You can read more below...
Hundreds of Russian troops stranded and starving in ‘death zone’ on Ukraine’s Dnipro River
Friday 24 October 2025 21:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Hundreds of starving and marooned Russian troops are being killed by Ukrainian drones in the “death zone” of the Dnipro delta, according to a report.
The river, surrounded by low-lying marshy islands, is split between Russian control on the left bank and Ukrainian control on the right.
At least 5,100 Russians have died in the area since January this year, some from starvation, according to Ukrainian intelligence.
Watch: Coalition of the Willing leaders urge more pressure on Russia to end Ukraine war
Friday 24 October 2025 21:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Analysis: Putin has finally pushed Trump too far – and will pay the price
Friday 24 October 2025 20:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
In pictures: Zelensky's day in the UK
Friday 24 October 2025 20:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Full report: Starmer vows Ukraine allies will take Russian oil and gas off market after Trump sanctions
Friday 24 October 2025 19:45
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
It has been a busy day of diplomacy for Volodymyr Zelensky.
After receiving a ceremonial welcome to Windsor to meet King Charles, he travelled to London where he had a one on one meeting with Keir Starmer.
Later, around 30 countries in the “coalition of the willing” met to discuss providing long-range missiles to Ukraine and the possibility of further Russian sanctions.
Our political correspondent Caitlin Doherty has all you need to know...
Zelensky says Russia must be 'pushed' towards real negotiations
Friday 24 October 2025 19:45
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
President Zelensky has said Russia must be “pushed” towards negotiations through sanctions.
In a post on X, Zelensky wrote: “I thank @Keir_Starmer and the people of the United Kingdom for their steadfast support of our country in our fight against Russian aggression.
“Strengthening sanctions policy must push Russia toward real negotiations. Recent partner sanctions packages are very important.
“We also coordinated our positions ahead of the Coalition of the Willing meeting — security guarantees for Ukraine, the strengthening of air defense, long-range capabilities, and energy resilience are the priority issues for the meeting.”
I thank @Keir_Starmer and the people of the United Kingdom for their steadfast support of our country in our fight against Russian aggression.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 24, 2025
Today, I discussed with the Prime Minister the development of defense cooperation and ways to increase pressure on Russia.
I presented… pic.twitter.com/L2k2SSOTsQ
Trump 'completely right' in reason for holding back Tomahawks, Nato chief says
Friday 24 October 2025 19:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Trump was “completely right” in his reasoning for holding back Tomahawk missiles from Ukraine, Nato chief Mark Rutte said.
Speaking with CNN after meeting with Trump at the White House, Rutte said Rutte “one specific weapon system” would not change the war.
“And I think what the president explained today is that for the Tomahawk system, and he was completely right here, it takes months for anyone other than American soldiers to be trained on them,” Rutte said.
“So it is not that if you decide today, Ukrainians can use them tomorrow.”
Which countries buy Russian oil – and what impact will sanctions have?
Friday 24 October 2025 19:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Ukraine will have to find a way to produce air defences, Zelensky says
Friday 24 October 2025 18:45
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Ukraine will have to find a way to produce air defence systems domestically, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday.
Since the start of Russia's war in Ukraine, Kyiv has ramped up weapons production, with nearly 60% of weapons now domestically produced, but it still depends on Western supplies for air defence systems and missiles.
Starmer: Freeze on Russian assets needed quickly
Friday 24 October 2025 18:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday there was "absolute clarity" during a "coalition of the willing" meeting that progress on using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine must be realised quickly.
"Yesterday the EU took a very important step forward, and there was absolute clarity in this afternoon's meeting that we need to see that progress come to fruition within a short timetable," Starmer told reporters.
Starmer referred to the European Union's 19th sanctions package, banning Russian liquefied natural gas imports and targeting entities ranging from Chinese refiners and Central Asian banks to a Russian prison medic.
What did we learn from today's press conference?
Friday 24 October 2025 18:06
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky have just left a press conference where they discussed a meeting of the “coalition of the willing” this afternoon.
Alongside Nato chief Mark Rutte, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Dutch prime minister, Dick Schoof, the pair laid out a “clear plan” for Ukraine for the rest of the year.
• Nations promised to step up their support in a bid to get Putin to negotiating table.
• The UK said it would “accelerate” its missile production programme to get more weapons to Ukraine.
• Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Friday that allies must reach a solution on reparation loans for Ukraine before Christmas. The reparation loan plan is one way of trying to redirect frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine’s war effort.
• The EU could consider moving to sanction Russian oil firms. “It will be good if the EU were to copy the US-UK sanction against Lukoil and Rosneft," Dick Schoof said following the meeting.
• The issue of Tomahawks is still “up for review”, according to Mr Rutte. "On particularly, the Tomahawks, of course, the President and I discussed that. The issue remains under review by the President and again, it's up to the U.S to decide," he told reporters.
Analysis: Will Trump’s new sanctions on Russian oil companies actually work to stop Putin?
Friday 24 October 2025 18:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Today’s summit comes after US President Donald Trump announced sanctions on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil.
But how much pressure will these actually pile on Putin?
James Reynolds has this explainer...
Ukraine reparation loan deal could happen before Christmas, Frederiksen says
Friday 24 October 2025 17:56
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Friday that allies in the "coalition of the willing" must reach a solution on reparation loans for Ukraine before Christmas.
"We have to work in a way that we have a solution before Christmas eve so we are able to ensure that we can finance Ukraine for the next years," Frederiksen told reporters alongside European leaders.
"I am sure that we will be able to do that... and I will wait have a decision before Christmas eve."
Starmer called for swift action to use frozen Russian assets to support Kyiv.
Russia ‘running out of money, troops and ideas’ says Rutte
Friday 24 October 2025 17:47
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Caitlin Doherty reports...
Russia is “running out of money troops and ideas” in its war with Ukraine, the head of Nato has said.
Speaking in London following a meeting of the coalition of the willing, Mark Rutte called on nations to impose further oil sanctions, and said this would “starve them of revenue and significantly increase the pressure on Putin”.
Describing Russia’s refusal to engage in ceasefire talks as “Putin’s deluded aggression”, Mr Rutte said: “The truth is that Putin is running out of money, troops and ideas.”
He was speaking at a five-way press conference following a coalition of the willing meeting, in which Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said that “Russia’s goal has not changed.
“They want to break us, they want to break Ukraine. They are doing everything to achieve it,” he said.
UK will accelerate programme to provide Ukraine with missiles, Starmer says
Friday 24 October 2025 17:27
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Sir Keir Starmer said allies had agreed a “clear plan for the rest of the year” on supporting Ukraine, including the announcement the UK would accelerate its missiles production programme.
Speaking after the call at the Foreign Office in London, the Prime Minister said: “First, we will act to take Russian oil and gas off the global market.
“Last week, the UK became the first country to sanction all of Russia’s oil majors. On Wednesday, the US acted decisively to join us together with further sanctions from the EU and we’re choking off funding for Russia’s war machine.
“I’m urging others to take these steps too, to go further to reduce their dependencies and incentivise third countries to stop buying these tainted resources.
“Second, we’re determined to push on with the progress on Russia’s sovereign assets and unlock billions to help finance Ukraine’s defence.
“The bill for Russia’s destruction in Ukraine should be paid by Russia. So, we want to move ahead at speed with the work needed to deliver reparation loans and get the funds flowing to Ukraine.
“Third, we are strengthening Ukraine’s air defence to protect its civilians and its energy infrastructure.
“I announced today that we’re accelerating our UK programme to provide Ukraine with more than 5,000 lightweight multirole missiles, creating 200 jobs and supporting 700 existing roles at Thales in Belfast.”
Kyiv wants long-range missiles to retaliate to Russian attacks, Zelensky says
Friday 24 October 2025 17:23
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Nicole Wootton-Cane
President Zelensky has said Kyiv want to use long-range missiles to strike Russians on their own land - something he says Russia continuously does to Ukraine.
“That is why we are working to secure Tomahawk missiles,” he said, before thanking Starmer for today’s meeting.
He added Russia wanted to use the cold winter to pressure Ukraine.
Sir Keir Starmer has said that what happens with regards to Russia and Ukraine is “pivotal” for domestic security.
Friday 24 October 2025 17:18
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Caitlin Doherty reports...
Speaking in London following a meeting of the coalition of the willing, the Prime Minister said: “Ukraine’s future is our future, what happens in the weeks and months ahead is pivotal for the security of the United Kingdom”, as well as across Nato.
He was speaking ahead of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky who has been in the UK for the meeting on Friday.
Starmer: United with Trump in wanting to end Ukraine fighting as he opens press conference
Friday 24 October 2025 17:14
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Caitlin Doherty reports...
Sir Keir Starmer has opened this afternoon’s press conference paying tribute to Ukraine.
He also referenced the sentencing of five men for their roles in an arson attack in London that authorities say was masterminded by Russian intelligence.
“It underlines the point - your security is our security,” he said.
He added that leaders are “united with President Trump in calling for the fighting to stop now”.
Speaking in London following a meeting of the coalition of the willing, the prime minister said that they stand with Ukraine and “united with President Trump in calling for the fighting to stop now”.
Press conference between 'coalition of the willing' expected to start shortly
Friday 24 October 2025 17:05
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
A press conference following key talks between the “coalition of the willing” is expected to get underway shortly.
Among the issues believed to be on the agenda is the provision of long-range missiles to Ukraine, and use of Russian assets to bolster Ukraine.
We will be bringing you the latest as it happens...