According to the International Institute of Strategic Studies, Russia's military expenditure is now higher than Europe's total defence spending, in terms of purchasing parity power. It's increased by 41% and is now the equivalent of 6.7% of GDP. In contrast, the UK will be spending just 2.5% by 2027.

This escalation came amid President Donald Trump’s attempts to broker a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine — by holding peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Put

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that talks with Russia and Ukraine on a peace deal are "very well advanced" and credited Russia for its actions in the talks, as he met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House.