Putin signs off record Russian defense spending as top EU officials visit Kyiv

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved budget plans, raising 2025 military spending to record levels as Moscow seeks to prevail in the war in Ukraine. Around 32.5% of the budget has been allocated for national defense amounting to over $145 billion, up from a reported 28.3% this year. New European Council President Antonio Costa and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas arrived in Kyiv on Sunday, marking their first day in office with a strong message of support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, three people died in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson when a Russian drone struck a minibus. In Russia, a child was killed in a Ukrainian drone attack in the Bryansk region bordering Ukraine.