German Chancellor Merz Defends EU Budget Link to Ukraine Support
Chancellor Friedrich Merz states that funding for Ukraine must be a shared European responsibility enshrined in the EU budget, responding to Slovak criticism.
By Hassan Ellis ·
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has reiterated that all European Union member states must contribute to funding support for Ukraine. He emphasized that these financial commitments should be formally established within the European budget framework, marking a significant stance in the ongoing negotiations over the bloc's future finances.
The Chancellor made these remarks on November 10 during a joint press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar. His comments were a direct response to recent criticism from Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Fico had characterized reports of Merz threatening to block the EU's next seven-year budget as blackmail, a move intended to ensure all member states commit to financial aid for Ukraine starting in 2027.
Merz argued that supporting Ukraine is a collective European task rather than the sole responsibility of individual nations. He stated, "This is a common European task, not a matter for individual member states but a shared responsibility of the European Union." The German leader noted that this interpretation aligns with how the EU has shaped its policy toward Ukraine over the past several years.
According to Merz, the question of how to support Ukraine financially in the coming years must be considered within the context of current budget negotiations. He referenced data from the end of last year, noting that 24 of the EU's 27 member states had indicated their willingness to provide 90 billion euros in financial support to Kyiv.
Despite this broad support, Merz suggested that continuing along the current path is not the optimal strategy. He asserted that the EU must fully reflect its policy toward Ukraine in the European budget. The Chancellor acknowledged that there are differing views on this matter, specifically pointing out that at least four member states see the issue differently.
In a discussion with his Hungarian counterpart, Merz addressed the domestic political considerations in Hungary. He said, "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." However, he urged Magyar to understand the perspective of Germany, which he described as the country that pays the most into the EU budget and makes the largest contribution to Ukraine support.
The Chancellor highlighted the disparity in financial contributions, noting that Germany is the largest net contributor to the EU budget, while Hungary receives more funding from the EU than it pays in. Merz emphasized that it is important for the largest contributor to settle this fundamental question collectively with other member states.
The issue of Ukraine's financial support is expected to remain on the political agenda in the coming days and potentially weeks. This stance follows reports from the Financial Times, which stated that Merz informed European Council President Antonio Costa in a letter that Germany would only back the EU's 2028 to 2034 budget if all member states agreed to provide funding for Ukraine.
Several Eastern European nations have signaled their reluctance to contribute further to financial assistance for Kyiv. Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Czechia have indicated they will not contribute to additional aid. Last year, Hungary, Slovakia, and Czechia successfully secured an exemption from having to help cover the interest on the EU's 90 billion euro loan designated for Ukraine's defense and budget needs for 2026 and 2027.
