UK to supply enriched uranium to Ukraine, impose fresh sanctions on Russia ahead of G7 talks

As world leaders gathered for a key G7 session on Ukraine, the United Kingdom announced a new package of support for Kyiv that includes enriched uranium supplies for nuclear power stations and additional sanctions aimed at increasing pressure on Russia. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the measures were intended to bolster Ukraine's energy security and target the revenues sustaining Moscow's war effort.

The announcement came ahead of a summit session in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was due to join leaders of the Group of Seven nations.

UK pledges nuclear fuel support for Ukraine

Starmer condemned Russia's "barbaric strikes" on Ukraine and said the UK was "stepping up" by "choking off the revenues that fuel Putin's war and powering Ukraine through the winters ahead", referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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According to Starmer's office, the energy agreement would "power Ukraine for the next two years".

Some £210 million ($282 million) worth of export finance will enable UK-based Urenco to supply enriched uranium to Ukraine's state nuclear power producer, Energoatom.

Fresh sanctions to target Russian networks

The British government also announced new sanctions that, according to Starmer's office, "will choke Russia's war effort across multiple fronts" by targeting Russia's illicit shadow fleet and financial networks used to circumvent sanctions.

Starmer, who is under pressure at home after his defence minister resigned in a dispute over military spending last week, is expected to tell G7 leaders that "the G7 should collectively go further to ensure Ukraine secures the just and lasting peace it deserves".

"We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes and this announcement reinforces that," Starmer said, according to his office.

G7 leaders meet as Ukraine faces renewed attacks

Zelenskyy's participation in the summit came after a Russian missile barrage early on Monday killed at least 11 people across Ukraine and triggered a fire at one of the capital's most important Orthodox monasteries.

The meeting in France is expected to focus on ways to strengthen support for Kyiv after more than four years of war.