EU budget clash: four states defy Merz on Ukraine aid
The gist
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz tied EU budget support to all members jointly funding Ukraine from 2027.
Four states are reluctant; leaders meet in Dublin on November 13.
How it unfolded
- Dec 2025The EU agreed a €90 billion loan to Ukraine covering 2026-2027; Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic secured exemptions or opt-outs.
- Oct 2026Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said Slovakia and Hungary would sit out further financing and criticized linking Ukraine assistance to the EU's future budget.
- Nov 9, 2026Merz, in a letter to António Costa seen by the FT, threatened to withhold support for the 2028-2034 budget unless all member states agree to jointly finance Ukraine in 2027 and beyond. Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic signaled reluctance to join further financial assistance to Kyiv.
Key terms
- qualified majority
- A voting system in the EU Council where decisions pass with a weighted majority of member states rather than unanimity.
- veto right
- A legal power to unilaterally stop an official action, such as a bill becoming law.
Source: Wikipedia