Keir Starmer has been called upon to demonstrate leadership in the ongoing Ukraine war by advocating for the use of $300 billion (£243 billion) in frozen Russian assets to bolster Kyiv’s military efforts. The appeal came from Bill Browder, a financier turned activist, during the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Browder, a vocal critic of Vladimir Putin’s regime, warned of dire consequences if the United States were to withdraw military support for Ukraine. “A refugee problem like we’ve never seen before” could arise, with as many as 15 million Ukrainians fleeing their homeland, he predicted.
The call comes as concerns grow over Donald Trump’s foreign policy decisions. Earlier this week, Trump ordered a 90-day pause on foreign development assistance programs.
While Ukrainian officials remain optimistic that military aid will not be affected, Browder fears that any delays could embolden Russia to make further territorial gains.
Browder criticized the lack of decisive action from global leaders in addressing the conflict. “It shows a profound lack of leadership on our part not to have done this before, but it’s not too late,” he said.
He pointed to Starmer as a potential leader in this effort, alongside Emmanuel Macron, while noting that Germany’s political landscape prevents immediate action.
The proposed solution involves utilizing $300 billion in frozen Russian central bank assets, including foreign currency, gold, and government bonds, to fund Ukraine’s defense. Browder argued that such a move would prevent a military catastrophe for Ukraine and diminish Trump’s influence over the conflict’s outcome.
Failure to act, he warned, could lead to a severe refugee crisis and force NATO members to increase defense spending to meet Trump’s demands for 5% of GDP.
Zelenskyy and European Leadership
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also voiced frustration with European leaders. In a speech at Davos, he cautioned that Europe risks becoming irrelevant unless it significantly increases military spending. “Will President Trump even notice Europe? Does he see NATO as necessary?” Zelenskyy asked, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding U.S. commitment to the alliance.
Browder echoed these concerns, urging the UK to take advantage of its post-Brexit independence to lead the charge.
He criticized the UK’s current stance, describing it as being trapped in an “EU straitjacket” that limits bold action. Browder revealed that he has discussed the matter with Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
The idea of using frozen Russian assets is not without controversy. While David Cameron argued at last year’s World Economic Forum that there are legal, moral, and political justifications for such a move, other nations have hesitated due to potential legal repercussions.
The United States has taken a step forward, passing a law allowing it to seize Russian state assets within its borders and redirect them to support Ukraine. However, Europe remains divided on the issue.
Browder also warned against rushing into a peace deal with Moscow, arguing that it could embolden Russia to target NATO members like Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Such actions, he said, would serve Putin’s goal of portraying NATO as a “paper organization” rather than a robust defense alliance.
As the war in Ukraine nears its third year, Browder’s call to action underscores the urgent need for decisive leadership. He believes the frozen Russian assets represent an untapped resource that could significantly strengthen Ukraine’s position while sending a clear message to Moscow.
“Keir Starmer could be the leader in this whole thing,” Browder stated, emphasizing the importance of stepping up to address the crisis.
The global community now faces a critical choice: take bold action to support Ukraine or risk the devastating consequences of inaction.
READ ALSO: UN Expert Warns Israel’s Genocide Could Spread To West Bank
