Merz signals he will block EU budget without Ukraine aid
Germany's chancellor is pressing the bloc over how Ukraine support is funded, and Slovakia's prime minister has accused him of blackmail.
By Standard Topic. AI-generated from the reporting listed under Coverage. Published . Updated .
This story is no longer being updated. It reflects reporting up to .
What happened
Germany's chancellor, Merz, complained that the cost of supporting Ukraine falls unfairly on a few member states and urged the EU to prioritize a new loan for Ukraine. He has signalled he will block the EU budget unless it includes a deal on Ukraine aid. Slovakia's prime minister responded by accusing him of blackmail.
Why it matters
Merz has said he will block the EU budget without an aid deal, so the dispute could hold up the bloc's budget. The disagreement centers on how the cost of aid is shared among member states.
Timeline
- Nov 9, 5:55 PM ET: Merz complained about unfair burden sharing and called on the EU to prioritize a new Ukraine loan.
- Nov 10, 11:44 AM ET: Slovakia's prime minister accused Merz of blackmail over his demand for Ukraine aid in the EU budget.
Coverage
- Merz accused of ‘blackmail’ by Slovakian PM after demand for Ukraine aid in EU budget (The Guardian)
- Germany's Merz complains about unfair burden sharing, calls EU to prioritize new Ukraine loan (Kyiv Independent)
More from World
- Carney plans to press Xi on foreign interference
- Gadi Eisenkot gets mandate to try forming Israeli government
- Attacks in Strait of Hormuz intensify as rest of Gulf calms
- Tesla China retail sales fall to four-year low
- India and US continue talks on first trade deal tranche
- Nexperia sues Chinese parent Wingtech for $2 billion