Putin Approves Record Defense Budget for 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a record military budget for 2025, allocating over $145 billion, which constitutes 32.5% of the national budget, up from 28.3% this year. This significant increase underscores Moscow's commitment to its military operations in Ukraine, amidst ongoing conflict that has strained resources on both sides. Concurrently, European Council President Antonio Costa and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas visited Kyiv to reaffirm EU support for Ukraine, pledging €4.2 billion in budgetary assistance and €1.5 billion in monthly aid derived from frozen Russian assets. Costa emphasized the EU's unwavering commitment, stating, 'From day one of the war, the EU has stood by the side of Ukraine.' In related developments, recent drone and missile strikes by Russia resulted in casualties in various Ukrainian cities, further escalating the humanitarian crisis. The visit comes as uncertainty looms over future U.S. support for Ukraine under a potential Trump administration.