German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that all European Union (EU) member states must support Ukraine and that this backing should not weaken. He emphasized the need for the new EU budget starting in 2028 to focus on increasing defense spending and competitiveness while ensuring that all EU countries contribute to supporting Ukraine, especially after some states refused to back a new loan for Ukraine last year.
The budget negotiations test Western unity regarding Ukraine after Russia’s invasion. Merz, alongside Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar, acknowledged differing views among member states. He pointed out that four states hold alternative opinions on supporting Ukraine through the budget.
Merz highlighted the need for all EU countries to help fill a €70 billion funding gap for Ukraine, with a proposed contribution of €45 billion from the EU. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized Merz for linking Ukraine assistance to the budget discussions and opposed military aid. In contrast, Magyar stated that while he disagreed with using terms like “blackmail,” he thinks tying the budget to other issues may not send the best message.
With information from Reuters
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