Global military expenditure reached an unprecedented $2.7 trillion in 2024, marking the steepest year-on-year increase since the end of the Cold War, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reported.
46% of Russians support the invasion of Ukraine, rejecting troops withdrawal without Kyiv's full capitulation, while 54% report worsening war-related hardships.
Admiral Vandier says Europe needs to increase military spending beyond 2% GDP, accelerate technological innovation, and develop more flexible procurement processes.
Estonia's top military chief advocates doubling defense spending in the next two years to ensure the ability not just to defend against a potential Russian invasion but to decisively defeat any aggression.
Russia is producing around 250,000 artillery shells monthly or 3,000,000 a year, compared to just 1.2 million annually from the US and Europe combined for Ukraine, per CNN data.
Heating systems are failing across Russia, leaving residents in sub-zero distress, as years of military prioritization over infrastructure combine with wartime strains on budgets and workforces, per UK intelligence.