More than 20 nations supporting Ukraine have pledged to remove Russian oil and gas from global markets in a coordinated effort to increase pressure on President Vladimir Putin to end the war. The commitment was announced at a summit in London hosted by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who stated that the move aims to “choke off funding for Russia’s war machine.”
The summit, part of the “coalition of the willing,” brought together leaders from over 20 countries, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who participated in person, while others like French President Emmanuel Macron joined via video link. The gathering focused on strengthening support for Ukraine amid ongoing Russian aggression, with discussions on military aid, energy security, and economic sanctions. Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof were among the attendees, highlighting broad international backing for Kyiv’s cause.
In his remarks, Sir Keir Starmer emphasized that the allies have agreed on a “clear plan for the rest of the year” to support Ukraine, which includes targeting Russia’s oil and gas exports. This pledge builds on recent sanctions imposed by the United States and European Union on Russian energy companies, such as Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as liquefied natural gas exports. The UK and US sanctions earlier in the week aimed to degrade Moscow’s ability to raise revenue for its war efforts, while the EU targeted LNG shipments to curb Russia’s economic resilience.
President Zelensky welcomed the support but reiterated his call for long-range missiles, specifically US-made Tomahawks, to strike deep inside Russian territory and disrupt military operations. However, no new commitments on missile deliveries were announced at the summit, as US President Donald Trump has previously indicated reluctance to supply such weapons due to concerns over escalation. Zelensky argued that such capabilities are essential to hit key targets like oil refineries and weapons depots, but Putin has warned of an “overwhelming” response if long-range strikes occur on Russian soil.
The coordinated effort to remove Russian oil and gas from global markets is seen as a significant step to undermine Moscow’s ability to finance its war effort. Russia relies heavily on energy exports for revenue, and previous sanctions have already shifted trade flows to countries like China and India. The new measures aim to further isolate Russia economically, though challenges remain in enforcing these restrictions globally, especially with nations that have maintained trade ties with Moscow since the invasion began in February 2022.
Beyond energy sanctions, the summit addressed the urgent need to protect Ukraine’s energy infrastructure from repeated Russian attacks, especially as winter approaches. Zelensky warned that Russia intends to use the cold as a “tool of torment” against Ukrainian civilians, highlighting recent strikes that have caused power outages and humanitarian crises in cities like Kyiv and Odesa. In the days leading up to the summit, Russian missile and drone attacks killed at least three people and wounded dozens, damaging homes and critical facilities across Ukraine.
Diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled, with Russia rejecting proposals for an immediate ceasefire and insisting on terms that Ukraine and its allies view as capitulation. Despite this, there are ongoing discussions, including potential involvement from China, as Trump expressed interest in seeking Beijing’s help in mediating peace talks during his upcoming trip to Asia. The London summit underscored the continued international solidarity with Ukraine, but also highlighted the challenges in achieving a swift resolution to the conflict, with the war now in its fourth year and Russia controlling around a fifth of Ukrainian territory.
As the conflict persists, the focus is on sustaining military and economic pressure on Russia while supporting Ukraine’s defense and recovery efforts. The allies’ pledge to target Russian sovereign assets and explore options like a “reparations loan” could unlock billions in funding, but details remain vague. With winter looming and civilian suffering intensifying, the international community’s ability to translate pledges into tangible outcomes will be critical in shaping the war’s trajectory and prospects for peace.