Putin open to Trump's defense cuts as europe arms up
Vladimir Putin signals readiness to accept Donald Trump's proposal for significant defence spending cuts. In return, he expects similar actions from the United States. Meanwhile, Europe is increasing its military spending in response to the threat from Russia.
Many of the reports from Russian media or government representatives contain propaganda elements. Such reports are part of the information warfare conducted by the Russian Federation.
U.S. President Donald Trump proposed talks with Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping on a 50% reduction of military budgets.
- I think it's a good idea. The US would cut by 50 percent and we would cut by 50 percent and then China would join if it wanted - said Putin, emphasizing readiness for discussion.
Europe is arming itself
At the same time, Trump is calling on European leaders to increase defence spending. During his visit to Washington, French President Emmanuel Macron agreed that Europe must take greater responsibility for its security. France is considering using its nuclear arsenal to strengthen the continent's defence.
Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU and likely future Chancellor of Germany, warns that the U.S. under Trump's administration has become "indifferent to Europe's fate." He said at a press conference that it is clear that we, Europeans, must quickly become capable of acting.
Changes in U.S. policy toward Ukraine
Moscow-Washington talks on the war in Ukraine have been ongoing for two weeks, marking a significant shift in U.S. policy. This raises the West's concern that relations between the superpowers may warm, and Putin could exploit this. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was excluded from these talks, and Trump called him a "dictator."
During a meeting with Trump at the White House, Macron suggested that the American president is right to re-engage with Putin. "There is good reason for President Trump to re-engage with President Putin," Macron said, highlighting changes in the new U.S. administration.
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