BRATISLAVA/BERLIN – The European Union faces a new dispute over tens of billions of euros. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is demanding that all 27 member states, including Slovakia, participate in the next round of financial aid for Ukraine. If an agreement can’t be reached, Berlin may block negotiations on the EU’s upcoming seven-year budget, putting billions earmarked for both the EU’s own development and Ukraine at stake.
Germany delivers a serious warning to Brussels
According to the Financial Times, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz sent a letter to European Council President António Costa.
In the letter, Merz calls for all EU member states to take joint responsibility for funding Ukraine.
Germany is tying this demand directly to negotiations over the EU’s 2028–2034 budget.
If member states fail to find consensus, Berlin may refuse to support a new EU budget agreement.
This represents significant political pressure from the EU’s strongest economy.
Ukraine faces a €70 billion shortfall
Current estimates suggest that by 2027, Ukraine will face a budget gap of around €70 billion.
The European Union plans to contribute roughly €45 billion toward that sum.
However, how this money will be raised has not yet been definitively decided.
Options include issuing joint European debt, direct contributions from member states, or a combination of funding mechanisms.
EU officials argue that stable financing for Ukraine is crucial not only for Ukraine’s own functioning, but also for the broader security of Europe.
Opponents of further joint commitments point to rising debt levels and potential negative consequences for national budgets.
Slovakia rejects new financial commitments
Slovakia is among those countries refusing to participate in further joint financing for Ukraine.
The Czech Republic, Hungary, and Bulgaria have indicated similar positions.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has previously stressed his opposition to joint borrowing to finance military aid to Kyiv.
During a previous EU loan of €90 billion, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary secured exemptions from contributing financially.
We have previously reported on this position in the article “Fico Sees No Harm in Ukraine’s EU Entry, Danko Demands Respect for Different Opinions.”
However, Merz’s latest demand is aimed at preventing such exemptions in future rounds of funding.
Could Slovakia lose EU funds?
This question may be most relevant for Slovak citizens.
Germany is one of the EU’s biggest net contributors.
In contrast, Slovakia has long received more funding from the EU than it pays in.
EU money is used to fund transport infrastructure, hospital modernization, schools, research projects, and regional development in Slovakia.
If the budget negotiations for 2028–2034 become deadlocked, future investment planning could become more complicated.
However, this does not mean Slovakia would automatically lose already-approved EU funds or that Germany can unilaterally stop their payments.
Merz’s warning is primarily about approval of the next EU budget.
Fico warns against dangerously linking two issues
According to Euronews, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico described the linking of Ukraine aid with EU budget talks as “very dangerous.”
From the Slovak government’s perspective, funding for Ukraine should not be a condition for reaching a budget deal for all member states.
Berlin counters that member states cannot expect solidarity in distributing EU funds while refusing to contribute jointly to Ukraine’s financing.
The differing views, therefore, are not only about financial aid, but also about differing visions of European solidarity.
Relations between Slovakia and Ukraine go beyond purely financial issues. Recently, Fico pledged winter assistance to Ukraine and supported its European ambitions after a joint meeting.
Who will repay European loans?
One of the most sensitive issues is about how the financial help will be repaid.
For the €90 billion loan to Ukraine, joint European funding is being used, with 24 member states participating.
Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary received exemptions from this scheme.
For future financing, it is not yet clear whether the same model will be used.
Similarly, it remains unknown what specific commitments would fall to Slovakia.
Thus, claims that every Slovak is already paying off Ukraine’s debt are currently incorrect.
Merz is calling for a political commitment from all member states, but the specific funding mechanism has yet to be decided.
The decision could affect all of Europe
This German initiative comes as talks continue about ending the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj is also advocating for continued diplomatic negotiations with Russia.
We have reported on this recently in the article “Zelenskyj Hopes for Meeting with Putin; Talks in Abu Dhabi Could Open Path to Peace.”
Germany maintains that Europe must keep supporting Ukraine even while diplomatic talks are underway.
Merz also opposes the early lifting of sanctions against Moscow, as noted in our article “Merz Rejects Lifting Sanctions Against Russia; Moscow Will Only Negotiate Under Pressure.”
When will a decision be made?
The issue of Ukraine funding will be discussed at an informal meeting of European leaders in Dublin on November 13.
Further negotiations are planned for November 26 and 27.
European countries now face difficult talks over who will provide the next billions—and in what form.
For now, Germany has not blocked the EU budget. However, its warning may have a significant impact on negotiations for the coming seven years.
For Slovakia, the key will be whether it can maintain its position on Ukraine funding while also securing a deal on the next EU budget.
For more on developments in European politics, follow the Aktualizovane.sk page on stretnisa.online.
You can also join the discussion about how EU countries should fund aid to Ukraine on our community platform.
Sources: Financial Times, Euronews, Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Deutschlandfunk, ČTK, November 9–10, 2026.
This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
