Ukraine bombshell hits before Trump talks, Budanov says Russia's army growing stronger than ever

On the eve of Trump–Zelensky talks, Ukraine’s spy chief Kyrylo Budanov concedes Russia met its 2025 recruitment goal of 403,000 troops and is targeting 409,000 in 2026 with big cash incentives, just as doubts grow over the future of the Czech shell-supply initiative and Western officials warn Kyiv to prepare for a war that could stretch into 2026 despite fresh European financial support.