Keir Starmer plans new sanctions on Russia and energy support for Ukraine during the G7 summit in France. He aims to meet with world leaders, including Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and Indian Prime Minister Modi.
Key points
Keir Starmer vows to impose new sanctions on Russia
UK to provide hundreds of millions in energy support for Ukraine
Starmer to meet with world leaders at G7 summit
Recent seizure of Russian oil tanker influences sanctions
Starmer reassures Trump on defense spending plans
Mentioned in this story
Keir StarmerVolodymyr ZelenskyyNarendra ModiG7UK Government
Keir Starmer has vowed to “choke off” Russian revenue with further sanctions and to provide hundreds of millions of pounds worth of energy support for Ukraine, as he met world leaders in France for the G7.
After a torrid political week at home, the British prime minister sought to put himself on the front foot on the international stage at the meeting of the group of seven, which kicked off on Monday in the French spa town of Évian-les-Bains, on the shore of Lake Geneva.
Starmer is expected to meet the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, the first full day of the summit.
He is also set to use the meeting to reassure Donald Trump he is willing to raise defence spending, after the resignation of his defence secretary, John Healey, last week and ongoing delays to his defence investment plan – but is not expected to have a bilateral meeting with the US president.
British troops descend from a hovering helicopter and stand on the deck of a huge oil tanker.
British troops seized the Smyrtos, a Russian shadow fleet vessel, in the Channel in the early hours of Sunday. More vessels will be targeted as part of the new sanctions. Photograph: LPhot Hutchins/MoD Crown copyright/PA
The defence investment plan is now expected to be published before the Nato summit in Ankara in Turkey, which begins on 7 July.
After a series of devastating Russian attacks on Ukrainian power infrastructure, Starmer has pledged £210m for Ukraine’s nuclear plants for the next two years, which he said would “power Ukraine through the winters ahead”.
Q&A
What new sanctions is Keir Starmer proposing against Russia?
Keir Starmer is proposing to implement further sanctions aimed at reducing Russian revenue.
How much energy support is the UK providing to Ukraine?
The UK is set to provide hundreds of millions of pounds worth of energy support for Ukraine.
Who will Keir Starmer meet at the G7 summit?
Keir Starmer is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
What recent event prompted the new sanctions against Russia?
The new sanctions follow the seizure of a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker by British troops in the English Channel.
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“We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes and this announcement reinforces that,” he said. “Putin should roll back his tanks, end his barbaric strikes and come to the negotiating table.”
Government officials said the UK Export Finance investment in Urenco, a multinational uranium enrichment company 33% owned by the UK government, would supply enriched uranium to Ukraine’s nuclear power producer, Energoatom. The deal was agreed between Starmer and Zelenskyy during their meeting at Downing Street last week.
Protesters hold banners indicating feminist resistance, anti-fascism and anti-imperialism, with the message: ‘no G7’.
Demonstrators protested in Geneva, Switzerland, against the G7 summit, which is taking place in nearby Évian-les-Bains in France. Photograph: dts News Agency Germany/Shutterstock
The agreement – which follows a two-year deal to supply nuclear fuel to Ukraine – would support UK jobs and exports, with a third of the uranium content coming from Urenco’s processing plant in Chester, said officials.
New sanctions on Russia will target finance networks, and expand the number of vessels targeted as part of Moscow’s shadow fleet carrying oil or liquified natural gas (LNG) to more than 600.
The new measures will also target a Russian state-linked network involved in covertly procuring western technology for Russia’s military, as well as suppliers helping Russia to illegally move money around the world.
The G7 – which brings together the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US, alongside the EU, with leaders from other nations also invited for talks – will seek to shore up waning US support for Ukraine, but will also focus on the nascent peace deal between the US and Iran and the reopening of the strait of Hormuz.
Dense flames rise from a vehicle on fire as police hold back a group of protesters in the background.
Anti-G7 protesters set a car alight in Geneva on Sunday. Photograph: dts News Agency Germany/Shutterstock
On Sunday thousands of anti-G7 protesters including environmentalists and feminists clashed with police in Geneva, setting a car on fire and smashing the windows of a bank.
Starmer could face difficult questions from Trump, whose White House urged the UK not to impose the social media ban for under-16s announced on Monday.
Senior US officials have indicated that while Trump will take part in a G7 working session with Zelenskyy on Tuesday, the US president will not hold a bilateral meeting with the Ukrainian leader.
Trump is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings on the summit’s sidelines with the French president, Emmanuel Macron, as well as with the leaders of Egypt, India, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, an official said.
