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Merz threatens to cut EU funds for member states that don’t support Ukraine
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has threatened to withhold Germany’s support for the EU’s next long-term budget unless every member state helps finance Ukraine. His position links the bloc’s 2028–2034 spending plan to continued support for Kyiv, raising the stakes in negotiations and putting pressure on governments that have resisted contributing.
Merz’s proposal concerns funding Ukraine from 2027 onwards, when current arrangements are expected to fall short. The EU has agreed a €90 billion loan for 2026 and 2027, while Ukraine is expected to need about €45 billion in the second half of 2027; Germany has provided €31 billion in bilateral aid, excluding its share of EU lending.
In short
- Merz ties Germany’s backing of the next EU budget to Ukraine funding.
- The proposed budget covers 2028 to 2034.
- The EU faces a projected €45 billion Ukraine funding need in late 2027.