**Ukraine’s Parliament Approves 2025 State Budget**
Ukraine’s parliament has approved the country’s state budget for next year, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on November 19. The budget is focused on defense and security.
**More Money for Defense**
The government expects to get Hr 2 trillion ($48.2 billion) in revenues, while expenditures are planned at Hr 3.6 trillion ($86.8 billion). The budget allocates Hr 2.2 trillion ($53 billion) for Ukraine’s defense, which is 26.3% of the country’s projected gross domestic product (GDP).
**Money for Weapons and Technology**
The budget includes Hr 55 billion ($1.3 billion) for weapons production and Hr 54.55 billion ($1.3 billion) for developing new technologies and expanding defense production capacity.
**International Reaction**
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said that strengthening Europe’s defense capabilities must go hand in hand with maintaining the United States‘ commitment to enhancing Ukraine’s security. The UK Defense Ministry praised countries like Kosovo, Romania, and Estonia for standing united with Ukraine.
**Attacks on Ukraine**
Russian forces launched a ballistic missile attack against Odesa on November 18, killing at least 10 people and injuring 55. Ukrainian forces struck a Russian arsenal in Karachev overnight on November 19.
**Day 1,000 of War**
Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi marked Day 1,000 of Russia‘s full-scale war against Ukraine. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have been confronting the enemy on the front line for over a year.
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