Putin Credits Trump for US-Russia Thaw as Moscow Considers Military Spending Cuts
Breaking: Diplomatic Shift Emerges
- Putin Praises Trump: Credits US president for “stabilizing” relations
- Military Spending Cuts: Russia may reduce defense budget from 2025 (first since Ukraine war began)
- Ukraine War Context: Comes as NATO pledges to boost spending to 5% GDP
Key Developments
- Unlikely Detente:
- Putin expresses “great respect” for Trump, open to meeting
- Trump reciprocates: “Putin made very nice statements”
- Defense Policy Reversal:
- Russia considers 3-year military spending reduction
- Contrasts with NATO’s 10-year expansion plan
- “Who’s preparing for aggression—us or them?” – Putin
- Ukraine War Calculus:
- Putin claims 3,000 Ukrainian soldier bodies ready for repatriation
- Trump hints at secret progress: “Something’s going to happen”
Why This Matters
- Economic Reality: Russia’s 6.3% GDP defense spend (2025) strains economy
- Global Skepticism: West doubts Putin’s sincerity amid intensified fighting
- Election Impact: Trump leverages diplomacy ahead of November vote
