Rachel Reeves has urged the European Union to seize €210bn (£175bn) of frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine defend itself against Kremlin aggression, warning that failing to act now would risk the continent’s security .

In her first significant intervention since she left government earlier this year, the former chancellor told Brussels that “the time to act is now” as Kyiv faces “a desperate winter”. She warned Kyiv is confronting a funding blackhole as Donald Trump seeks to pressure the nation “to cut a deal with Moscow”.

The MP for Leeds West and Pudsey warned that Ukraine’s “capacity to sustain its defence will be gravely impaired” without the funding, which in turn would “undermine Europe’s security”.

It comes after Zelensky hailed an additional £10bn support package from the UK to Ukraine after discussions with Andy Burnham.…