In a surprising turn of diplomatic dialogue, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed support for a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump, advocating for a simultaneous 50% reduction in defense budgets from Russia, the United States, and China. During a televised interview on Monday, Putin described the idea as “good” and emphasized the potential for cooperation among these three major global powers.
Putin articulated his vision by saying, “The US would cut by 50 percent and we would cut by 50 percent and then China would join if it wanted.” His remarks come in the wake of Russia’s significant increase in military spending following its military offensive in Ukraine, which began in 2022. This escalation in defense expenditures has not only contributed to economic growth for Russia but has also resulted in rising inflation within the country.
Amidst these discussions, Putin shared insights regarding Russia’s defense budget trajectory, indicating that defense and security spending is projected to reach approximately 8.7 percent of the nation’s GDP by 2024. While he acknowledged that he could not speak on behalf of China when it comes to budgetary decisions, he expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement with the United States concerning military spending.
Putin stated, “We’re not against it,” reinforcing Russia’s willingness to engage in dialogue with the U.S. about this significant policy shift. He concluded his comments by reiterating that Russia views the proposal favorably and is open to further discussions, indicating a potential shift towards diplomatic engagement in military spending strategy among these major global powers.
