Putin asks Russian parliament to approve record war budget

Russian President Vladimir Putin urged parliament to approve a new three-year war budget, calling for victory in Ukraine during a rare address to the State Duma. Putin emphasized strengthening national defense and supporting soldiers and their families. The proposed budget includes record defense spending of 50 trillion rubles over three years, with 17.1 trillion rubles planned for 2026, a 27% increase from initial projections. The increased military expenditure will reduce funding for health, education, infrastructure, and agriculture. To address a growing deficit, the government proposed tax increases. Putin also ruled out seeking foreign aid, calling it humiliating, and dismissed peace negotiations following recent Ukrainian attacks on Moscow.