FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked the country's oligarchs to contribute financially to support the struggling defense budget so that the war in Ukraine can continue.
The news was reported by the Financial Times.
According to the same source, Putin intends to continue the conflict, which began in February 2022, until the remaining territories in the eastern Donbas region that are not currently under Moscow's control are fully secured. At least two businessmen have told the president they are ready to contribute financially after a meeting held on Thursday.
Putin appears to be going on the offensive after Ukraine refused to unilaterally withdraw from Donbas during recent negotiations brokered by the United States.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia remains open to a new round of talks with the United States on a peace agreement as soon as the conditions are right. He stressed that Moscow has not lost interest in negotiations, but key issues, including territory, remain unresolved.
Meanwhile, defense spending has increased significantly. The defense budget rose by 42%, reaching 13.1 trillion rubles (about 121 billion pounds) last year. The Russian government has taken measures to stabilize the economy by raising taxes.
Economy Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said Russia is considering introducing a new tax on windfall profits if the ruble continues to weaken. In 2023, Russia collected 320 billion rubles through a temporary 10% tax on some large companies.
In January, authorities raised VAT to 22% to secure an additional 600 billion rubles over three years from small and medium-sized businesses.
Russia's budget deficit for January and February reached over 90% of the level projected for the entire year, while US sanctions have forced Moscow to sell oil at significantly lower prices.
In an earlier statement, Putin warned companies and state institutions to be cautious in using additional revenues from rising oil prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East. He stressed that market fluctuations can be unpredictable and called for a conservative approach in both the private sector and public finances.
On the other hand, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Reuters that the US is tying the offer of security guarantees in a peace agreement to the condition that Ukraine surrender the entire Donbas region.
Zelensky said that developments in the Middle East influence US President Donald Trump's positions and his next steps. He added that Washington is putting more pressure on Ukraine and stressed that the eastern part of the country is crucial for Ukraine's national security.
Lini një Përgjigje