Germany’s push for a united European commitment to finance Ukraine has triggered a sharp response from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Their prime ministers have criticised Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s demand, arguing that individual countries should retain the freedom to decide their positions.
The disagreement comes as Ukraine faces a major funding gap while continuing to defend itself against Russia’s invasion. Meanwhile, European Union leaders are debating how to maintain financial support for Kyiv without allowing the issue to derail negotiations over the bloc’s next budget.
Merz Calls for All EU Members to Share Ukraine’s Financial Burden
Merz has urged every EU member state to contribute towards covering Ukraine’s expected financial shortfall in 2027. In a letter to European Council President Antonio Costa, he described a collective commitment as essential.
He wrote that “a collective commitment that all of us, without exception, will contribute fairly to closing this gap is an essential prerequisite for resolving this issue”.
Brussels estimates that Kyiv could face a funding shortage of 70 billion euros ($78 billion) in 2027. The 27-member bloc is expected to consider covering approximately 45 billion euros of that amount.
However, Merz believes Europe cannot continue relying on exemptions for individual member states. He argued that support for Ukraine represents a shared European responsibility.
Speaking in Berlin alongside Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar, Merz said support for Ukraine was a “task for all of Europe, not just for individual member states” of the EU.
He also stressed that “Ukraine policy must be fully reflected in the EU budget”.
Slovakia’s Fico Accuses Merz of Political Blackmail
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico strongly rejected Merz’s demand, describing the German chancellor’s approach as unacceptable pressure.
Speaking to reporters in Bratislava, Fico said, “what the chancellor is doing is typical blackmail, and I will not give in to it.
“We are a sovereign country… (and) we have our own opinion on the matter.”
Fico has maintained close relations with the Kremlin and rejected direct military assistance to Ukraine. Therefore, his government remains opposed to being pressured into supporting funding arrangements.
His comments underline the growing disagreement within the EU over how member states should contribute to Ukraine’s continued defence.
Czech Prime Minister Babis Also Rejects Merz’s Position
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis also dismissed Merz’s remarks during a visit to Bratislava on Tuesday. His nationalist government, like Slovakia’s, rejects military aid to Ukraine.
“I do not know why he is saying it,” Babis said, responding to the German chancellor’s demand.
The Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary were previously exempted from participating in an EU loan arrangement for Ukraine. Merz has indicated that he does not want this approach to continue.
He noted that only “24 of the 27 member states” agreed to last year’s loan.
Hungary Questions Linking Ukraine Funding to the EU Budget
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar also expressed reservations about Merz’s proposed approach. However, he stopped short of describing the German chancellor’s position as blackmail.
Magyar said he did “not consider it a good approach to link the EU budget (…) in any way to another issue”.
His response highlights another disagreement over how Ukraine’s financial needs should influence broader EU budget negotiations.
Ukraine Faces Growing Pressure Over Future Funding
The latest dispute comes as Ukraine’s existing financial support risks running out before the end of next year. The EU agreed to a 90-billion-euro loan for Kyiv last year.
However, Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure, increasing the pressure on the country’s financial requirements.
Consequently, European governments face difficult decisions about securing further assistance. They must also address disagreements over whether every member state should share the financial responsibility.
Merz wants all EU countries to contribute fairly, while Czech and Slovak leaders insist on their right to disagree. Hungary has also questioned linking Ukraine funding directly to the EU budget.
The dispute therefore exposes a wider challenge for Europe: maintaining support for Ukraine while managing sharply divided positions among its own member states.
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