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Merz ties EU budget talks to unanimous Ukraine funding

Germany's push to link the next long-term EU budget to a multiyear Ukraine loan could reshape the budget negotiations and Kyiv's financing.

Photo: Euronews

What happened

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is threatening to block the EU's next long-term budget unless all member states commit to financing Ukraine beyond 2027. Euronews Merz reiterated the demand at a press conference in Berlin, saying Ukraine support is a shared European responsibility and belongs within the budget negotiations. Politico Europe Merz also laid out the demand in a letter to European Council President Antonio Costa. Politico Europe Berlin wants governments to agree a durable funding arrangement for Kyiv, including covering the cost of servicing Ukraine-related debt. Euronews

Around it

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico called the demand classic blackmail and rejected it. Politico Europe The EU and partners are discussing a new 70 billion euro loan for Ukraine in the next year, with the EU planning to shoulder about 45 billion euros of it. Politico Europe Ukraine faces an estimated 70 billion euro funding shortfall next year. Euronews

Sources

  1. EuronewsMerz’s budget gamble: no Ukraine funding, no EU budget
  2. Politico EuropeMerz clashes with Fico over German bid to link EU budget and Ukraine loan

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