**Ukraine’s Defense Expenses Covered by Tax Hike and G7 Loan**
Ukraine’s Finance Ministry says the country has enough money to cover its defense expenses for 2025. The ministry made this announcement on December 11.
The government raised taxes on personal income and small businesses to help pay for Ukraine’s growing defense needs. A tax hike from 1.5% to 5% was introduced, as well as a war tax on small businesses and individual entrepreneurs.
In addition to these measures, the G7’s Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) initiative will bring an extra $50 billion to Ukraine’s economy. This loan is paid for by frozen Russian assets, which amount to around $3 billion annually over 30 years.
The U.S. has already disbursed $20 billion as part of this loan, and the EU is expected to contribute another $20 billion. Canada will give $3.7 billion, while Japan and the UK will each provide $3 billion. However, only a portion of these funds can be used directly for defense needs.
**Ukraine Has Enough Arms and Funds**
Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko said Ukraine has enough arms and funds to continue resisting Russia until at least mid-2025. He added that this could last longer if U.S. President–elect Donald Trump cuts support after taking office.
**Other News**
Russian occupation authorities in Donetsk have jailed nine Ukrainian soldiers captured after defending Mariupol for between 24 years and a life sentence.
The region of Abkhazia has faced energy restrictions due to a spat with Russia, which has cut funding for the energy sector.
President Volodymyr Zelensky slammed Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban for discussing the war in Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least eight civilians and injured at least 57 over the past day.
A Ukrainian missile struck a boiler plant in Russia’s Rostov Oblast, damaging critical infrastructure in the city of Taganrog.
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