Kremlin: European and British funding of Ukraine does not help to resolve the conflict peacefully

The Kremlin says a pledge by European leaders at a London summit on Ukraine to increase funding to Kiev does not contribute to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that European leaders' pledges of money and anti-aircraft missile deals would delay the war.

Britain has agreed to lend Ukraine 2.26 billion pounds to strengthen its defense capabilities. Ukraine will use proceeds from confiscated Russian assets to repay the loans.

Peskov said "this obviously has nothing to do with the peace plan" but would allow "the continuation of hostilities."

"Any constructive (peace) initiative is needed now. It is very important that someone forces Ukrainian President Zelensky to change his position. He doesn't want peace. Someone has to make him want peace."

Peskov said European leaders needed to "do a lot" with Washington to wash away the "unpleasant impression" left after Zelenskiy's acrimous meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump last week.

British Prime Minister Starmer hosted Zelensky in London on Saturday and said Britain, Ukraine, France and other countries would form a "coalition of the willing" and put together a peace plan to present to Trump.

Zelensky said Sunday that he believed the relationship with Trump could be saved, but that negotiations would have to take place behind closed doors.