Putin approves 176 trillion won defense budget, reaching 32.5% of Russia's GDP
Dec 02, 2024
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According to the Russian budget plan released on the 1st (local time), next year's defense budget will be 13.5 trillion rubles (about 175.635 trillion won). This represents 32.5% of GDP, a significant increase compared to this year's defense spending ratio of 28.3%.
Earlier, the State Duma and the Federal Council, both houses of the Russian parliament, had already approved the budget 10 days ago and were waiting for President Putin's signature.
Foreign media analyzed that it is a measure to end the war against Ukraine within this year.
Ukraine's government has claimed it comes after Russia lost more than 2030 troops in just one day on the frontline.If this figure is true, it marks the highest daily loss of troops in the nearly three-year war.
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) leadership made a surprise visit to Ukraine's capital Kyiv on the 1st.
EU Summit President António Costa and high-ranking foreign and security representative Kallas met with Ukrainian President Zelensky in Kyiv on the same day.
Senior EU officials reportedly discussed with President Zelensky how to expand the EU's support for Ukraine.
In response, President Zelenskyy renewed his appeal to support Ukraine's accession to NATO.
This is interpreted as an intention to hurry to join NATO in the face of growing uncertainty ahead of the inauguration of U.S. President Trump.
bellho@sportschosun.com
