Putin approves record defense budget amid EU support for Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed off on a historic increase in military spending, with 32.5% of the 2025 national budget—amounting to 13.5 trillion rubles (over $145 billion)—allocated to defense.

This marks a significant rise from the 28.3% allocated this year, underscoring Moscow’s determination to gain the upper hand in its ongoing war with Ukraine. The budget details were released Sunday on a government website, following approvals from both houses of the Russian parliament.

The war, Europe’s largest conflict since World War II, has severely strained resources on both sides. While Kyiv has received billions in support from Western allies, Russia’s larger and better-equipped forces have recently gained ground in eastern Ukraine.

As Russia ramped up its war effort, European Council President Antonio Costa and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas marked their first day in office by visiting Kyiv on Sunday. “From day one of the war, the EU has stood by the side of Ukraine,” Costa posted on X, sharing a photo with Kallas and EU enlargement chief Marta Kos. “From day one of our mandate, we are reaffirming our unwavering support to the Ukrainian people.”

At a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Costa emphasized the EU’s recent commitment of $4.4 billion to Ukraine’s budget and $1.6 billion in monthly assistance drawn from frozen Russian assets. When questioned about the possibility of reduced U.S. support under a Donald Trump administration, Costa declared the EU’s determination to back Ukraine “as long as necessary.”

Zelenskyy stressed the importance of NATO and EU involvement in any future ceasefire talks with Russia, reiterating that Ukraine would never recognize the occupation of its territories. He called on the outgoing Biden administration to influence skeptical European nations regarding Ukraine’s NATO membership. “I see no risks,” he stated.

“Most NATO countries see no risks from the recommendation regarding the positive future of Ukraine’s membership in NATO.” Zelenskyy also suggested that extending NATO membership to Ukrainian-controlled territories could end “the hot stage of the war.”

On the battlefield, violence continued to escalate. In Kherson, a Russian drone attack on a minibus killed three and injured seven on Sunday, according to regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin. In Dnipro, the death toll from Saturday’s missile strike rose to four, with 24 people wounded, including seven in serious condition, reported Dnipropetrovsk Governor Serhiy Lysak.

Meanwhile, Moscow launched 78 drones overnight into Ukraine, according to Ukrainian officials. The air force claimed to have destroyed 32 drones and electronically jammed 45 more. In Russia, a child was killed in a Ukrainian drone attack in the Bryansk region, said regional governor Alexander Bogomaz.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported downing 29 Ukrainian drones in various western regions, including Bryansk, Kaluga, Smolensk, and Kursk, on the same night.

With no signs of a ceasefire and defense budgets climbing on both sides, the war’s toll on human lives and resources continues to mount, leaving its future uncertain.