Russia's defense spending surpasses total of all European nations, study reveals

A new study shows that Russia's defense spending has surpassed the combined military budgets of all European countries. In 2024, Russia's military spending rose by 42% to $462 billion, while European defense budgets increased by nearly 12% to $457 billion. The report highlights potential security challenges for Europe if U.S. support for Ukraine decreases. U.S. aid to Ukraine has totaled about €88 billion, while Europe has contributed €125 billion. Discussions at the Munich Security Conference may address these concerns. Russia's defense spending is projected to rise further in 2025, reaching $490 billion. In contrast, European nations face fiscal constraints that may limit their defense budget growth, despite some countries like Germany and Estonia increasing their military expenditures.