No real reason for talks with Russia currently, MP says
As it stands, there are no grounds for good-faith negotiations with Moscow, parliamentary Defense Committee chair Roman Kostenko told NV on Oct. 7.
In a significant shift from previous years, Russia's military spending has surged to unprecedented levels, with President Vladimir Putin directing funds towards a war that he believes will not yield an acceptable outcome. According to Bloomberg, Russia's defense budget is projected to reach $199 billion by the end of 2026, marking a 40% increase from the initial budget set in late 2025.
This comes after Putin's decision to reject talks with the United States in Alaska, deeming them unfruitful, and instead focusing on Ukraine. The Kremlin's assessment of the situation led to accelerated payments to defense firms and heightened war-related expenditures. Despite Russia's acknowledgment of the prolonged nature of the conflict, the country continues to understate the true cost.
The projected budget deficit for 2026 has nearly doubled, reaching $81 billion, from the initially planned $44 billion, largely financed through increased domestic borrowing and gold sales. This trend of escalating defense spending is expected to continue, with Russia planning for a protracted war in Ukraine, with military outlays expected to peak at $200 billion in 2027 before gradually declining.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
