Ukraine to allocate 60% of its 2025 budget to defense against Russia

(Patria) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy yesterday signed the Law on the State Budget for 2025.

60 percent of the total budget - slightly over 50 billion euros - will be allocated to defense against the Russian invasion and security.

- The budget's priority is the protection of our country, it includes financing for security and defense forces, and the purchase and production of weapons, drones, and equipment - explained Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

The budget of a total of 82 billion euros was approved by Ukrainian MPs on November 19.

Ukraine, which has less weaponry, fewer conscripts, and less money than Russia, is forced to increase defense spending as the war enters its third year.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, has devastated its economy and destroyed a significant portion of its infrastructure, but the West is helping.

The departure of millions of Ukrainians abroad has reduced the state's tax revenues.

The Ukrainian army has been struggling on the front lines for months while Russian forces make slow progress.

Russia planned a 30% increase in its military spending for 2025 after a massive 70% increase this year, according to official data. This expresses the Kremlin's intention to continue the invasion at all costs.

In terms of volume, Moscow will spend approximately 118 billion euros on defense and 31 billion on state security next year.

The arrival of the unpredictable Donald Trump in the White House in January 2025 is causing fears in Kyiv of a reduction or complete cessation of American aid, which has been vital for Ukraine in repelling Russian attacks so far.