Putin and Trump find common ground on military cuts, but China stands firm

In a surprising turn of events, former US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have aligned on a proposal to slash military spending, while China’s Xi Jinping remains firmly opposed.

The development has left global observers intrigued, as Washington and Moscow - often seen as adversaries - appear to be on the same page regarding defence budget reductions.

Trump recently suggested that the United States, Russia, and China should cut their military budgets by 50%, arguing that the massive spending on defence could be redirected toward other pressing global issues.

"If we can settle this, we don’t need to be spending nearly $1 trillion on military expenses," Trump stated. He also emphasised that Russia and China could similarly benefit from reducing their defence expenditures, adding that he planned to hold talks with Putin and Xi to push for such an agreement.

Responding to Trump’s proposal in a television interview, President Putin welcomed the idea, calling it a "good proposal" and stating that Moscow would be open to discussions.

"If the US reduces its defence budget by 50%, we are also willing to do the same," Putin said. However, he noted that the decision would ultimately depend on China’s stance.

Moscow’s support for budget cuts comes despite its recent increase in military spending, largely due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Kremlin had previously acknowledged that defence spending accounted for nearly 9% of Russia’s GDP. Some analysts believe Putin’s willingness to engage in negotiations could indicate that Russia may be looking for a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine - a move that might ease tensions with NATO and European nations.

While the US and Russia show openness to budget cuts, China has flatly rejected the idea. The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, defended Beijing’s increasing military expenditure, calling it "limited and necessary" for the country’s security and sovereignty.

"China’s defence spending is justified. It is essential to our national security, regional stability, and our contribution to global peace," Lin stated.

Unlike the US and Russia, China has been steadily increasing its defence budget for years under President Xi Jinping.

In 2024 alone, Beijing raised its military spending by 7.2%, bringing it to $236 billion, the second-largest military budget in the world after the US. Projections suggest that China’s defence spending could reach $400 billion within the next few years as it continues its efforts to modernise its military across land, air, sea, and space.

In addition to military budget reductions, Trump has also urged Putin and Xi to work towards nuclear disarmament. The US, Russia, and China collectively hold more than 90% of the world’s nuclear weapons, making them the key players in global arms control efforts.

"We already have enough nuclear weapons to destroy the world 100 times over," Trump remarked, adding that China was "rapidly catching up" in nuclear capabilities and could be on par with the US and Russia in the next five to six years.