Putin signs off record Russian defence spending as top EU officials visit Kyiv
The Hindu
Putin approves record military spending as Russia seeks to prevail in Ukraine war, EU leaders pledge support.
Russian President Vladimir Putin approved budget plans, raising 2025 military spending to record levels as Moscow seeks to prevail in the war in Ukraine.
Around 32.5% of the budget posted on a government website on Sunday (December 1, 2024) has been allocated for national defense, amounting to 13.5 trillion rubles (over $145 billion), up from a reported 28.3% this year.
Lawmakers in both houses of the Russian parliament, the State Duma and Federation Council, had already approved the plans in the past 10 days.
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine since February 2022 is Europe's biggest conflict since World War II and has drained the resources of both sides. Kyiv has been getting billions of dollars in help from its Western allies, but Russia's forces are bigger and better equipped, and in recent months the Russian army has gradually been pushing Ukrainian troops backward in eastern areas.
New EU leaders in Kyiv pledge continued support for Ukraine. New European Council President Antonio Costa and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas arrived in Kyiv on Sunday (December 1, 2024), marking their first day in office with a strong message of support for Ukraine. Their visit comes as doubts are deepening over what Kyiv can expect from a new US administration led by Donald Trump.
“From day one of the war, the EU has stood by the side of Ukraine,” Mr. Costa posted on X, together with a photo of himself, Kallas and EU enlargement chief Marta Kos. “From day one of our mandate, we are reaffirming our unwavering support to the Ukrainian people.”
Speaking at a news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mr. Costa reiterated the EU's recent commitment to help Ukraine continue through the war, including €4.2 billion ($4.4 billion) to support Ukraine's budget and €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) of assistance every month from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets.
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