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Russia plans tax hike to finance war on Ukraine
DPA International Yahoo News ^ | 9/24/2025 | Staff

Posted on 09/24/2025 11:17:05 AM PDT by marcusmaximus

Russia plans to raise value-added tax (VAT) to help finance its war on Ukraine, the Finance Ministry said on Wednesday.

Under the draft 2026 budget proposal, the VAT rate would increase to 22% from the current 20%. The government said it would continue to meet all social policy commitments, but listed defence, security and support for soldiers and their families as "strategic priorities."

Military and security spending already accounts for about 40% of total government expenditure in the 2025 budget, according to government estimates.

Large state orders for the defence industry and hefty payments to soldiers and their families have fuelled a period of growth for Russia's war economy.

But signs of strain are emerging in civilian sectors, and inflation is squeezing household budgets.

(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...


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To: Worldtraveler once upon a time

Yeah, there was no official peace deal. That is not how these things work. Russia would have to come to the table in earnest and hammer out a peace deal with Trump. Yes, that is all Putin would’ve needed to do. Trump would’ve done the rest.

Trump said that Ukraine will have to give up land. Trump said that Russia needs to be welcomed back into international trade organizations. Trump also expressed an interest in normalizing trade relations and business investment between our two countries. Those deals would’ve likely been very lucrative sweeteners for any peace deal. There is no end to what Trump was willing to do. Trump wanted peace and was working very hard to deliver a peace deal that Russia could agree to but Putin had other plans.

Russia has chosen to continue fighting this war. They also appear to be provoking NATO countries. There will be no further offers of peace again. Trump will now have to help Ukraine defeat Russia and protect Eastern Europe. I’m afraid that Russia is not going to fair very well.


21 posted on 09/24/2025 1:28:20 PM PDT by McCarthysGhost
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To: marcusmaximus; BeauBo

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4342185/posts

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Time to donate!


22 posted on 09/24/2025 1:33:28 PM PDT by Allegra (Thank you for your attention to this matter. )
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To: Worldtraveler once upon a time

Do those countries also have an income tax? Isn’t it really about total taxation?

(I have no idea what the answer is…but all of this yapping back and forth like a bunch of little dogs does nothing to educate anyone.)


23 posted on 09/24/2025 1:37:22 PM PDT by Vermont Lt
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To: McCarthysGhost
--- "Russia would have to come to the table in earnest and hammer out a peace deal with Trump."

Why? Why President Trump?

Posted to another but applicable here:

Ukraine has its President Zelensky. The European Union is a union of 27 nations, each with its head of state, a Prime Minister, President or other officer, and the European Commission which sits atop the EU has its President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the current President of the European Council, António Costa.

Why then are all the media, the headlines and opinion pages (and your statement above) all intent on making President Trump the responsible party for "ending the war."

Given the EU is at least 100 million more in population than the US and, of course, nearer to the war, why is not some one (or more) of these dignitaries leading, and "serious about ending the war," rather than passing the buck onto President Trump?

Most all of Europe is playing President Trump as the patsy. 'You do it, and we'll hold your coat.' Or, 'you go first, and we'll be right behind you.'

So, here's a European insight:

500 million Europeans are asking 300 million Americans to defend them against 140 million Russians. [...] Europe today lacks the belief that we are truly a global force.”

Polish PM Donald Tusk, speaking before his flight to London for the European Ukraine summit: 2 March 2025

So, again and in earnest, why is this President Trump's responsibility alone?
24 posted on 09/24/2025 1:37:56 PM PDT by Worldtraveler once upon a time (Degrow government)
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To: marcusmaximus
Putin didn’t think things through and never had a plan b.

There is no plan B. Putin thought that Ukrainian Army would collapse just like they did in 2014 when they failed to defend Crimea.

25 posted on 09/24/2025 1:41:01 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
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To: Vermont Lt
--- "Do those countries also have an income tax? Isn't it really about total taxation?"

Yes, all those nations also have an income tax. We were legal residents in Germany for decades, and paid plenty of income tax as well as VAT. And when I worked in another European nation while being resident in Germany, I paid more though there were some considerations. Not all tax treaties -- we in the US have one with parts of Europe -- are fully reciprocal. For example, the state of California takes as its income tax not only income earned in the state, but from anywhere else in the world as well. Tax regimes are all dissimilar, and yet alike. More. That's the ever-present posture.

The article specifically was about a proposed raise in VAT from 20 to 22. Looking at the actual numbers which I posted, this all is in the "mid-range" of all the nations.

Fair and responsible question, hopefully answered fairly and responsibly.

26 posted on 09/24/2025 1:44:13 PM PDT by Worldtraveler once upon a time (Degrow government)
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To: Worldtraveler once upon a time

“Why then are all the media, the headlines and opinion pages (and your statement above) all intent on making President Trump the responsible party for “ending the war.””

Because he is the only Western leader that wanted peace with Russia and was powerful enough to broker peace. Also, America is providing the balk of weaponry and funding for the war which Trump, of course, has a lot of control over putting him in a unique position to end the war.


27 posted on 09/24/2025 2:13:53 PM PDT by McCarthysGhost
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To: aMorePerfectUnion

Now that’s a funny meme! Bwahahahaha!


28 posted on 09/24/2025 2:25:12 PM PDT by Rocco DiPippo (Either the Deep State destroys America or we destroy the Deep State. -Donald Trump)
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To: McCarthysGhost
--- "...he is the only Western leader that wanted peace with Russia and was powerful enough to broker peace. Also, America is providing the balk of weaponry and funding for the war which Trump, of course, has a lot of control over putting him in a unique position to end the war."

A fascinating reply. From months and years of threads telling that Europe has spent more and supplied more than have we, the narrative shifts to our having supplied to most of the ordnance and funding. Logically, it cannot be both ways, so then some "trust but verify" sorts of links would help clarify.

It is obvious that you and I would part ways about this, for I would "give" the EU and especially the EC that mandate. After all they have been lobbying to put President Trump into this predicament, and you seem to agree with them.

Besides, if he is unable to "broker peace" for brokering arms deals, then there is no one unless the Ukrainians and Russians can come to some agreement. What is very sure is that we shall see in time.

I note that you did not comment on Donald Tusk's statement in the X video. It seems remarkably similar to your view, unless I misunderstand your stance.

29 posted on 09/24/2025 2:25:39 PM PDT by Worldtraveler once upon a time (Degrow government)
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To: Worldtraveler once upon a time

“A fascinating reply. From months and years of threads telling that Europe has spent more and supplied more than have we, the narrative shifts to our having supplied to most of the ordnance and funding. Logically, it cannot be both ways, so then some “trust but verify” sorts of links would help clarify.”

“As of September 2025, the United States has provided approximately $175 billion in total aid to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. This figure encompasses all forms of support, including military/security assistance (about 71% of the total, or roughly $124 billion), economic and governance aid, humanitarian assistance, and operational costs for U.S. agencies involved in coordination and oversight.” GROK

“European funding: Allocated vs. Disbursed: Commitments total ~$200 billion, but disbursed aid is ~$120–$140 billion through September 2025, with ongoing deliveries.” GROK


30 posted on 09/24/2025 2:52:41 PM PDT by McCarthysGhost
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To: marcusmaximus

Tax Putin and his thieving cronies. You’ll have all the revenue you need.


31 posted on 09/24/2025 4:30:45 PM PDT by popdonnelly (All the enormous crimes in history have been committed by governments.)
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To: Rocco DiPippo

😅


32 posted on 09/24/2025 5:32:46 PM PDT by aMorePerfectUnion (🦅 MAGADONIAN ⚔️ LIFE )
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To: mac_truck; BeauBo

“Does the number $37.5 Trillion ring a bell, dummy?”

Why would he care? He’s not an American. Not his taxes and not his kids if we go to war with Russia.


33 posted on 09/25/2025 3:10:12 AM PDT by rxh4n1
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To: rxh4n1

Good point!


34 posted on 09/25/2025 1:22:33 PM PDT by mac_truck (aide toi et dieu t'aidera)
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