German Chancellor Merz threatens to block EU budget unless four holdouts — Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic

Live updates

1. 35m ago

   German Chancellor Merz threatens EU budget veto over Ukraine funding

   German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned he will block the EU's long-term budget unless all member states agree to fund Ukraine, singling out Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic as holdouts. The ultimatum links approval of the bloc's next multiannual financial framework to unanimous support for Ukraine assistance. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has denounced the move as blackmail, while European Council President Antonio Costa is seeking to reassure Merz and defuse the standoff. The confrontation risks paralysing EU budget negotiations and deepening east-west divisions over Ukraine policy.

   Why it matters

   The EU's seven-year budget requires unanimity, giving any single member a veto. Merz is leveraging Germany's position as the largest net contributor to force the four reluctant capitals to drop their opposition to joint Ukraine financing. Hungary and Slovakia have consistently opposed EU military aid to Kyiv, while Bulgaria and the Czech Republic have wavered. The dispute reflects a broader fracture over the war's cost and the EU's strategic autonomy.

   What is confirmed

   • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz threatened to block the EU budget unless Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic commit to funding Ukraine.
   • Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico accused Merz of blackmail for linking Ukraine funding to EU budget talks.
   • European Council President Antonio Costa is seeking to reassure Merz after the budget ultimatum.
   • The EU's multiannual financial framework requires unanimous approval from all member states.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Germany may use its veto power to single-handedly halt the entire EU budget process.
   • The four named countries could face isolated pressure campaigns from Berlin and Brussels.

   What to watch next

   • Formal Council discussions on the next multiannual financial framework
   • Positions of Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Czech Republic at upcoming EU summits
   • Whether Merz follows through with a veto or accepts a compromise
   Sources used for this update (14)

   1. flipboard.com — Beloved singer’s wife killed after welcoming robbery suspects with lemonade
   2. Financial Times — Germany issues ultimatum to secure Ukraine funding
   3. Euronews.com — No deal on Ukraine aid? Then no deal on EU budget, Merz says
   4. Bloomberg.com — Merz Says Germany May Block EU Budget Over Ukraine Funding
   5. Meduza — German Chancellor Merz threatens to block EU budget unless four holdouts — Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic — commit to funding Ukraine
   6. Українська правда — German chancellor warns he will block EU budget unless all member states agree to fund Ukraine
   7. Euronews.com — Merz’s budget gamble: no Ukraine funding, no EU budget
   8. Yahoo — Germans more deeply divided over aid to Ukraine than over immigration
   9. Yahoo — Slovak PM Fico accuses Merz of 'blackmail' for linking Ukraine funding to EU budget talks
   10. Bloomberg.com — Merz Demand on Ukraine Funds Sparks Blowback From Eastern Europe
   11. Euronews.com — EU budget battle erupts as four countries defy Merz over Ukraine aid
   12. The Guardian — Merz accused of ‘blackmail’ by Slovak PM after demand for Ukraine aid in EU budget
   confidence 90%