Putin approves record military budget as EU leaders visit Kyiv to support Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a record military budget for 2025, allocating 32.5% of the budget, or 13.5 trillion rubles (over $145 billion), to national defense. This marks an increase from 28.3% in the current year. As Putin's government ramps up military spending, new EU leaders visited Kyiv, pledging continued support for Ukraine. European Council President Antonio Costa and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized the EU's commitment to assist Ukraine amid ongoing conflict. On the ground, violence continues, with three deaths reported in Kherson from a Russian drone strike. In Dnipro, a missile attack resulted in four fatalities and 24 injuries. A child was also killed in a Ukrainian drone attack in Russia's Bryansk region.