In a pivotal gathering in London on October 24 and 25, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an urgent appeal to the United States and its allies: expand sanctions on Russian oil beyond just two companies, and provide Ukraine with the military tools it needs to defend itself—especially long-range missiles. The high-stakes meeting, hosted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, brought together two dozen European leaders, all focused on strategies to end the more than three-year war in Ukraine and to ramp up pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to News18, the summit marked a significant moment in the ongoing diplomatic and military campaign against Russia’s aggression. The leaders pledged fresh military aid to Ukraine, with the explicit goal of shielding the country from future Russian attacks, should a ceasefire finally bring some respite. The discussions didn’t stop at military hardware; they also tackled the immediate threat to Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, with winter looming and Russia intensifying its almost daily strikes on Ukraine’s power grid. As Zelenskyy put it during the talks, “We have to apply pressure not only to Rosneft and Lukoil, but to all Russian oil companies.”
The context for Zelenskyy’s plea is the recent decision by the United States—under President Donald Trump—to impose sanctions on two major Russian oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. As reported by News18, Zelenskyy was quick to praise the move, calling it “a very right move by the US President—sanctions against two Russian oil companies.” But for Zelenskyy, this was just a start. He urged the US to broaden these measures, warning that targeting only a couple of firms isn’t enough to seriously dent Russia’s war machine. “Today, all participants, without exception, in the Coalition of the Willing agreed that this is exactly how pressure should continue on Russian oil,” Zelenskyy emphasized in a video message posted after the meeting.
The economic pain inflicted by sanctions is already being felt in Russia, Zelenskyy argued. He pointed to “gas station lines inside Russia, bankrupt regions, [and a] federal budget deficit,” insisting that “sanctions remain one of the most painful blows for Putin.” According to BBC and Reuters, these visible signs of strain are proof that the international community’s strategy is having an effect, despite Moscow’s attempts to downplay the damage.
The London meeting, as covered by Reuters, was not just about economic measures. European leaders also pledged ongoing military assistance, reaffirming their commitment to Ukraine’s security and sovereignty. The pledges come at a crucial time: as winter approaches, Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, seeking to cripple the country’s power grid and undermine civilian morale. The coalition, dubbed the “Coalition of the Willing,” discussed ways to bolster Ukrainian air defenses and ensure that the country’s lights—and heating—stay on through the coldest months.
But Zelenskyy’s message was clear: military aid must go beyond defensive systems. He made a pointed appeal for long-range missiles, arguing that Ukraine needs the capability to hit back at Russian forces and deter further aggression. The Associated Press reported that Zelenskyy’s request was echoed by several leaders at the summit, who acknowledged that Ukraine’s ability to strike deeper into Russian-held territory could shift the balance of power, or at least force Moscow to reconsider its tactics.
The summit’s host, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, played a pivotal role in uniting the European response. According to BBC, Starmer emphasized the need for both immediate action and long-term planning. He stressed that protecting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure was a top priority, given the country’s vulnerability to sustained missile and drone attacks. The British government, along with its European partners, committed additional resources to help repair and reinforce Ukraine’s power grid, while also supplying advanced air defense systems.
Beyond the immediate military and economic measures, the London meeting signaled a broader alignment between the US and Europe on how to confront Russia. Recent weeks have seen a flurry of new sanctions from both sides of the Atlantic, targeting Russia’s vital oil and gas export earnings—the lifeblood of the Kremlin’s war effort. European leaders called on more countries to join in, arguing that a united front is essential to maximize the impact of sanctions. “More sanctions against Russia are coming, and they will be aligned with the decision of the United States,” Zelenskyy declared in his video address.
Yet, the push for harsher sanctions is not without controversy. Some European nations, heavily dependent on Russian energy, have expressed concerns about the potential blowback on their own economies. Still, the prevailing sentiment at the London summit was that the costs of inaction—or half-measures—would be far greater in the long run. As one senior EU diplomat put it, “If we don’t stand firm now, we risk emboldening Putin and inviting further aggression, not just in Ukraine but across Europe.”
The international response to Russia’s invasion has evolved considerably since the war began more than three years ago. Early rounds of sanctions targeted Russian banks and wealthy individuals, but as the conflict dragged on, it became clear that deeper, sector-wide measures would be needed. The US’s latest move to sanction Rosneft and Lukoil marks a significant escalation, and Zelenskyy’s call to expand these sanctions to the entire Russian oil sector underscores the urgency of the moment.
For Ukraine, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With its economy battered, its cities under threat, and its people bracing for another harsh winter, the country is counting on its Western allies to deliver both the military and economic support required to survive—and ultimately prevail. Zelenskyy’s message in London was both a plea and a warning: “Russia can signal to the world all it wants that sanctions supposedly don’t affect its economy, but everyone can see the truth.”
As the world watches, the outcome of these diplomatic efforts—and the willingness of the US and Europe to escalate pressure on Russia—will shape the next chapter of the war. For now, Ukraine’s leader is betting that unity and resolve among his allies can make all the difference.