Germany's Merz responds to Slovak PM's criticism, insists all EU countries must support Ukraine

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has insisted that all EU member states must contribute to funding support for Ukraine and that the commitments should be set out in the European budget.

Source: Merz at a joint press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar on 10 November, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Merz was responding to criticism from Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who had described as "blackmail" reports that Merz has threatened to block the EU's next seven-year budget unless all member states commit to providing financial support to Ukraine in 2027 and beyond.

Quote: "This [financial support for Ukraine – ed.] is a common European task, not a matter for individual member states but a shared responsibility of the European Union. This is how we have always understood it, this is how we have shaped our policy towards Ukraine over the past few years, and that is why the question of how we will support Ukraine in the coming years, including financially if necessary, must of course be considered in the context of these budget negotiations."

Details: Merz said 24 of the EU's 27 member states had signalled at the end of last year that they were willing to provide Ukraine with €90 billion in financial support. "In my view, continuing along this path is not the best option. We must fully reflect our policy towards Ukraine in the European budget. I know that there are differing views on this," the German chancellor said.

He added that at least four EU member states see the issue differently.

Quote: "But then we must discuss this issue, and Péter Magyar and I spoke quite openly about the fact that there is also an issue of domestic politics in Hungary, which we of course respect. But I, for my part, asked him to understand why the country that pays the most into the European Union budget and makes by far the largest contribution, including to support for Ukraine, believes it is important for us to settle this fundamental question together."

Details: Germany is the largest contributor to the EU budget, while Hungary receives more money from the EU than it pays in.

Merz said the issue will be on the agenda in the coming days or possibly weeks.

Background:

• The Financial Times reported that Merz told European Council President António Costa in a letter that Germany would back the EU's 2028-2034 budget only if all member states agreed to provide funding for Ukraine.
• Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Czechia have signalled that they will not contribute to further financial assistance for Kyiv. Last year, Hungary, Slovakia and Czechia secured an exemption from having to help cover interest on the EU's €90 billion loan for Ukraine's defence and budget needs in 2026-2027.

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