Kiev: Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved budget plans that would boost military spending to record levels through 2025 as Russia seeks to win the war with Ukraine.
According to the information released on the government website on Sunday, 32.5 percent of the budget has been allocated to defence. Which is 13.5 trillion rubles (more than $145 billion). This amount is 28.3 percent more than the current year.
Lawmakers from both houses of Russia’s parliament, the State Duma and the Federation Council, approved the plan over the past ten days.
It is noteworthy that the Russia-Ukraine war, which started in February 2022, is the biggest conflict in Europe after World War II. Due to this war, the resources of both the countries have been exhausted.
Kiev is receiving billions of dollars in aid from its Western allies. However, Russia’s army, on the other hand, is larger and better equipped. In recent months Russian forces have been gradually pushing back Ukrainian troops in eastern areas.
Three people were killed in a drone attack on a minibus in Ukraine’s southern city of Kherson on Sunday morning. Seven other people were injured, the Kherson regional governor said in a statement.
The new EU leader is currently in Kiev to support Ukraine. New European Council President Antonio Costa and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas arrived in Kiev on Sunday.
Addressing a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Zelensky, Costa said the EU would provide $4.4 billion to help Ukraine’s budget. Apart from this, he has also announced to give 1.6 billion dollars every month from Russia’s frozen assets.
