Slovak Leader Accuses Merz of Blackmail Over Linking EU Budget to Ukraine Aid

The update

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has signalled he will block the European Union’s next seven-year budget unless every member state shares the cost of new financial aid for Ukraine. In a letter to European Council President António Costa, Merz called a collective commitment without exception an essential prerequisite for other talks. Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico called the move typical blackmail and said he would not give in, while Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš also rejected taking part.

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Why it matters

Ukraine faces a €70 billion budget shortfall next year after Russia’s bombardment raised its costs. The EU has pledged to find about €45 billion, on top of a €90 billion loan agreed last year from which Hungary, Slovakia and Czechia opted out. Bulgaria has now joined those three in resisting a new round, even though all four benefit from EU funds that Germany and other large donors want to cut in the 2028-34 budget.

What to watch

EU leaders will discuss Ukraine’s financing at an informal summit in Dublin on Friday, ahead of a special budget summit on 26-27 November. Both the budget and new Ukraine aid require unanimity, so Merz and Fico each hold a veto, and Costa is seeking a budget deal by the end of the year.

Sources

• theguardian.com — confirms Merz’s letter, budget threat and Fico’s blackmail response
• euronews.com — confirms the four-country pushback, shortfall and pledge figures

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