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No deal on Ukraine aid? Then no deal on EU budget, Merz says
Euronews.com • • world
Key Points:
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has made the EU's next budget deal conditional on increased financial support for Ukraine, linking two divisive issues among member states.
- Kyiv faces a €70 billion shortfall in its 2027 budget due to Russian attacks, with the EU pledging to cover about €45 billion through a new financing instrument, possibly involving joint debt.
- Merz emphasized the need for all member states to fairly share the financial burden, criticizing uneven support distribution and urging accelerated budget discussions at the upcoming EU summit.
- The proposal has divided member states, with "frugal" countries supporting the budget-Ukraine link and advocating cuts, while the "Friends of Cohesion" resist reductions and some nations seek exemptions from joint debt.
- Some officials, including Poland and Slovakia's leaders, warn that tying the budget to Ukraine support could complicate negotiations and pose risks to reaching a final agreement.
