9/28/23
Russian President Vladimir Putin has committed to a large increase in spending for the war in Ukraine through 2024 despite a top Kremlin official recently hinting Moscow may be willing to negotiate an end to the conflict.
Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Thursday reported that a new document from Russia’s Ministry of Finance shows Moscow will increase defense spending for the country by almost 70 percent in 2024. Bloomberg first reported on the same figures last week when a draft proposal for Russia’s defense spending was released.
The deep investment in the war budget comes after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently indicated Russia would honor Ukraine’s borders prior to Putin’s invasion that began in February 2022 if Kyiv agrees to one major condition.
During a press conference at the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, Lavrov suggested Russia would recognize Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty based on a decades-old declaration if Kyiv agreed to a commitment of remaining “a non-aligned country and would not enter into any military alliances.”
The comment seemingly referenced Ukraine’s bid to join NATO, which Putin not only opposes but has also cited the possible expansion of NATO on Russia’s borders as one of his justifications for starting the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and members of his administration have not publicly addressed Lavrov’s comments, but Zelensky has continued his call for allies to provide his troops with more weapons following his trip to the United States and Canada.
Putin himself has also not broached the subject of a possible ceasefire, and the Russian Finance Ministry’s new document indicates he’s prepared to invest deeply through 2024. According to the AFP’s analysis, the document shows defense spending would increase by over 68 percent year-on-year to almost 10.8 trillion rubles ($111.15 billion). This figure would account for around 6 percent of Russia’s GDP.
Newsweek reached out to the Russian Ministry of Finance via email for comment.
According to the AFP’s calculations, Russia’s defense spending budget for 2024 will be roughly three times more than the money allotted for education, environmental protection and healthcare spending combined.
The document also indicates Putin is not yet ready to relinquish his illegitimate claim of four Ukrainian regions he annexed to Russia last year, as the report said “integrating” the Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts is one of the finance agency’s goals next year.
If Lavrov’s statement about recognizing Ukraine’s previous maps is to be believed, then Russia would theoretically have to give up its claim to the four territories.
Meanwhile, Russia’s economy has suffered during the war as Putin increased military spending and Western sanctions took hold. After the ruble hit a 17-month low against the U.S. dollar, Russia’s Central Bank raised interest rates last month in an attempt to address concerns about the country’s currency and raising inflation.
https://www.newsweek.com/putin-russia-defense-budget-increase-ukraine-war-1830587
“If Lavrov’s statement about recognizing Ukraine’s previous maps is to be believed, then Russia would theoretically have to give up its claim to the four territories.”
This could be a possibility, although such a scenario is remote. But, what if?
The increase in the budget for its murder gang (military) could be to get prepared for the NEXT war.
At any rate, I will keep a grasp on two axioms; actions speak louder than words, and, a ruskie’s word is never worth anything.
More BS from the Lavrov and Putin clown show. Putler has always said there will be no pre-conditions for any peace talks. Horseface states the opposite. One thing you can be sure of is any agreement will only be fit for wiping your arse on.
It’s a weird game those two are playing, that’s for sure.
Whatever game they are playing, none of it will benefit Ukraine. I think it’s the usual smoke and mirrors from the Kremlin.
I agree.
At least there is some substance to negotiate. If Ukraine can’t retake everything (thanks to lack of Nato support) there could be some ground to make a deal.
We’ll see about that, Mike. The biggest question for now is, are they serious about it, or is it some sick game again. Then, it’s up to Ukraine to decide.
Absolutely. It depends on the situation on the battlefield. The more Ukraine is advancing the better their position.
Typical fascist hypocrites, Ukraine can’t join an alliance but Moskovia can. And Ukraine must be neutral but Moskovia is far from neutral. I think this is just political maneuvering and sending a message to NATO not to accept Ukraine. Funny, there was no movements of Ukraine going into NATO in 2014 but the russo-dopers invaded anyway. You’ll remember, Maidan started because the people of Ukraine believed Yanukovych would do as he campaigned and join the EU economic alliance. It had nothing to do with NATO.
It never had anything to do with NATO per se. He only started to realize that with Ukraine in NATO, he won’t be able to rape the country.
The Putin regime is trying to put a good face on its attempt to destroy Ukraine by appearing to be reasonable about its demands. There is no reasonable demand on Russia’s part, and they have no intention of returning tot eh 1991 maps. They would try to hold Crimea, yet that is inside the internationally recognized boundaries of Ukraine.
In short, Lavrov is just telling the lies Putin told him to tell.
Naturally.