German Chancellor Friedrich Merz threatened to block the European Union budget over Ukraine aid
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has threatened to block the European Union’s 2028-34 budget unless all 27 member states commit to helping finance Ukraine, the Financial Times reported. Ukraine faces a projected €70 billion funding shortfall in 2027, and the EU is expected to provide about €45 billion, according to the report.
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In a letter to European Council President António Costa, Merz also called for a stable, long-term financing arrangement from 2028, including a solution for servicing Ukraine-related debt, the FT reported.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico called Merz’s demand “blackmail” and said Slovakia had the same veto right as the German chancellor, Reuters reported. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš backed Fico, warning that blocking the budget would also block funds for Ukraine. Hungary, Slovakia, Czechia and Bulgaria have indicated they do not want to contribute to additional assistance, Hromadske reported.
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Reporting behind this story
- Euronews — Merz’s budget gamble: no Ukraine funding, no EU budget
- Hromadske — Merz threatens EU budget veto over Ukraine funding
- Ukrainian National News — Fico accused Merz of "blackmail" — what Ukraine and the EU budget have to do with it
- todayville.com — Germany Threatens to Hold the Entire EU Budget Hostage for Ukraine
- interfax.com.ua — Merz threatens to block EU's seven-year budget if member states don't commit to funding Ukraine – media