Russian President Vladimir Putin has revealed that he is considering reducing military spending starting next year. He made this statement at a time when the Western defense alliance (NATO) has announced its decision to increase spending on military and defense sectors. NATO NATO believes that Russia poses the greatest threat to its member countries. Recently, at a NATO summit held in The Hague, Netherlands, many member countries decided to spend 5% of their national GDP on military and defense sectors. These countries have decided to achieve this goal within the next 10 years. NATO’s decision to increase military and defense spending comes at a time when the biggest supporter of the Jews, US President Donald Trump, has been pushing for it.
Russian President Putin first spoke about NATO’s decision at a press conference with journalists in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. Regarding this matter, Putin said that the funds allocated by NATO member countries for military and defense sectors would be spent on buying weapons from the United States. He added that the economic benefits of this would be solely for the United States and that it was not a matter concerning Russia. “But the most important point is this. We are considering reducing our military spending. We are planning this way for the coming year, the year after that, and even for the next three years,” Putin said. Although there is no agreement between the defense, finance, and economic ministries on this matter, Putin said that the Russian government is moving in that direction.
“However, the West is considering increasing [military and defense] budgets. So, who is preparing for a war act? Is it us? Or is it them?” Putin questioned. He was referring to NATO’s accusations that Russia is working against the alliance. Although Russia had decided to increase military spending from next year, analysts note that Russia’s military expenditure has multiplied many times since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war. That war began on February 24, 2022. Russia attacked Ukraine after Ukraine refused to stop its efforts to join NATO.
Trump has been working to end the Russia-Ukraine war. However, it should be noted that in recent weeks, the attacks exchanged between Russian and Ukrainian forces have intensified. And there seems to be no progress in the negotiations initiated by Trump to end the war. Putin has thanked Trump for his efforts to stop the war. “He recently said that this is much more difficult and complicated than he thought. And that’s the truth,” Putin said. Trump said he believes Putin wants to end the war. However, Ukraine and Western powers say that Putin has no intention of ending the war.
