EU budget battle erupts as four countries defy Merz over Ukraine aid — Live Feedhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/eu-budget-battle-erupts-as-four-countries-defy-merz-over-ukraine-aidContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. EU Budget Battle Erupts as Germany Demands Ukraine Aid Compliancehttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/eu-budget-battle-erupts-as-four-countries-defy-merz-over-ukraine-aidhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/eu-budget-battle-erupts-as-four-countries-defy-merz-over-ukraine-aid#u202077Sun, 15 Nov 2026 08:55:04 +0000A budget dispute erupted within the European Union after Germany issued an ultimatum demanding that all member states support financial assistance for Ukraine. Four countries defied the demand, prompting Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to accuse German leadership of blackmail for linking Ukraine funding to broader European budget negotiations. Meanwhile, European Council President Antonio Costa kept Ukraine funding talks on the late-November agenda and sought to reassure German leadership following the ultimatum.Why it mattersThe clash centers on whether financial backing for Kyiv should be