Ukraine's parliament on Tuesday approved the 2025 state budget in the final reading, with planned spending for defense and security of UAH 2.23 trillion ($54 billion), the finance ministry said in a press release.
The defense spending is equal to 26.3% of Ukraine's GDP and is UAH 47.6 billion higher than spending planned for 2024.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed to US President Donald Trump that their two countries conclude a free trade agreement (FTA), Interfax Ukraine reported on Tuesday, citing Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade Representative Taras Kachka.
Following his two-hour call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Monday, US President Donald Trump said that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will start "immediately."
US President Donald Trump said he will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday, after peace talks in Istanbul failed to secure a temporary ceasefire.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the composition of a negotiating team for peace talks with Ukraine, expected to be held on Thursday in Istanbul, with himself not included.
