Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a record-breaking defense budget, setting aside a staggering third of the government’s total spending as the war in Ukraine drains resources from both sides nearly three years on.

President Vladimir Putin signed Russia's new budget Sunday, which includes record spending on military capabilities as Moscow's assault on Ukraine approaches the three-year mark.

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

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is visiting Ukraine for the first time in more than 2 1/2 years. The visit Monday comes just weeks after he was criticized by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for having a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

By Pavel Polityuk and Tom Balmforth KYIV (Reuters) -German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced new military aid for Ukraine during a rare visit on Monday that he said sent a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that Berlin would stand by Kyiv for as long as needed in the war.

Dozens are hospitalized after massive protests broke out across Georgia following the pro-Putin government's move halting decadeslong talks on joining the EU amid increasing ties with Russia.

A third night of protests in the Georgian capital against the government’s decision to suspend negotiations to join the European Union left 44 people hospitalized, officials said Sunday.