PM’s top security adviser says Europe faces hard winter to keep pressure on Putin – BBC News
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PM’s top security adviser says Europe faces hard winter to keep pressure on Putin
Image source: Getty Images
By James Landale, Diplomatic correspondent
Published 13 September 2026, 06:03 BST
Updated 4 hours ago
The UK national security adviser has stated that Europe must be prepared for a challenging winter if it aims to maintain economic pressure on Russia.
In uncommon public remarks, Jonathan Powell, during a conference in Kyiv, expressed that Europe’s strategy of aiding Ukraine and implementing sanctions against Moscow is yielding results.
Powell emphasized that discussions about Russian escalation are "not a problem," but rather a "sign of success" as pressure on President Vladimir Putin starts to show effects—and European nations should refrain from relaxing their efforts.
These remarks come amidst Russia’s continued targeting of Ukrainian infrastructure and as Europe grapples with a severe energy shortage this winter, following drastic reductions in reliance on Russian oil and gas.
Despite the ongoing Russian invasion now entering its fifth year, Powell declared that Ukraine has "already won" because Putin cannot capture the entire country, ensuring a "free Ukraine in Europe" will determine its own path regardless of potential territorial losses.
Powell, who was in Kyiv last weekend for talks with US President Donald Trump’s envoys after their meeting with Putin, provided a rare and detailed insight into UK policy on the war at the Yalta European Strategy forum. His comments, notably positive compared to others’, offered an audience of Ukraine’s leadership and international supporters.
Round-the-clock Russian attacks on Ukraine are damaging the country’s economy, demoralizing its people, and raising concerns for the upcoming winter with anticipated power shortages.
Olexandr Kravchenko, Ukraine’s minister of economy, told the conference that this year’s Russian attacks have resulted in $10 billion (£7.4 billion) worth of destroyed infrastructure and assets. With the blockade of Ukraine’s sea ports hindering grain exports, he projected a 1.5% contraction in Ukraine’s GDP.
Europe is gearing up for winter amid a global energy crisis and low gas reserves, potentially making sanctioned Russian liquid natural gas more attractive to some EU countries.
Although sanctions have significantly reduced Europe’s consumption of Russian gas—down to 12%—plans for a complete phase-out by January are facing challenges. Last week, the European Court of Auditors reported that these plans were "faltering" due to gas shortages resulting from the Iran war.
Powell declared, "We cannot turn that into an advantage for Putin," adding, "Pressure on Putin is working… and that means we have to keep the pressure up." He continued, emphasizing the need for "some real hardship and difficulties" as Europe persists with economic, military, political, and diplomatic support for Ukraine.
