Iran war cannot be ’windfall’ for Putin, says Starmer, as Zelenskyy arrives in UK
Iran War Cannot Be ’Windfall’ for Putin, Says Starmer, as Zelenskyy Arrives in UK
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to welcome Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a visit to the UK on Tuesday. This occasion coincides with warnings from Starmer that US-Israeli attacks on Iran should not inadvertently provide a strategic advantage to Vladimir Putin. The UK government is also pushing for the resolution of a financial matter tied to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, who is required to distribute proceeds from his Chelsea FC sale to Ukraine war victims by a specified deadline.
Aramovich’s Legal Dilemma
Abramovich, once the owner of Chelsea, now faces potential legal action after asserting that the £2.5bn from the sale belongs to him. He has argued the funds can be used for Russian citizens affected by the conflict in Ukraine. However, the British government has made it clear that the money must be allocated to support Ukraine. A government official noted that there is no certainty Abramovich will meet the deadline, with his legal team at Kobre & Kim claiming the funds remain under the control of Fordstam Ltd, the entity financing the club.
“I can confirm today that, over the last month, we have delivered to Ukraine 3,500 drones, 18,000 artillery rounds and 3m rounds of small ammunition,” said Defence Secretary John Healey in the Commons.
Support for Ukraine Continues
Starmer and Healey reaffirmed their commitment to aiding Ukraine during a press briefing on Monday. Healey highlighted the dual challenges the UK faces, with military support for both Ukraine and the Gulf region. “We face two conflicts on two continents, supported by an axis of aggression with similar tactics and technologies,” he stated. “Our determination to stand with Ukraine remains steadfast.”
Russian oil revenues have surged by €6bn (£5bn) since the onset of the US-Israel conflict with Iran, according to data. Healey linked this financial influx to Putin’s continued operations in Ukraine, emphasizing that the oil price spike benefits the Russian leader. “It helps him with a fresh supply of funds for his brutal war in Ukraine,” he added.
Zelenskyy’s Response to US Actions
During his visit, Zelenskyy addressed claims by Donald Trump that the US no longer needed Ukraine’s assistance in drone defense. “All our institutions received these requests, and we responded to them,” he said in a briefing, though he did not specify which countries were involved. Trump had recently invoked a one-month waiver allowing nations to purchase Russian oil without sanction penalties, a move that had previously applied tariffs to countries like India for their purchases.
Starmer’s meeting with Zelenskyy is expected to focus on the future of the £2.5bn, with questions likely to arise about its allocation. The visit underscores the UK’s ongoing role in supporting Ukraine amid broader global tensions, as the nation navigates its dual commitments to the war in Europe and the Gulf.
