# EU budget battle erupts as four countries defy Merz over Ukraine aid

https://mins.news/en/item/137428

- euronews, 2026-11-10 14:36 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.euronews.com/2026/11/10/eu-budget-battle-erupts-as-four-countries-defy-merz-over-ukraine-aid

> Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico accused German Chancellor Friedrich Merz of “blackmail” as four EU countries opposed his demand to tie approval of the bloc’s next long-term budget to new financial support for Ukraine.

## Related coverage

- [Costa seeks to reassure Merz after EU budget ultimatum](https://mins.news/en/item/137773) — euronews, 2026-11-10
- [Slovakian PM accuses Merz of ‘blackmail’ over Ukraine aid and EU budget](https://mins.news/en/item/137651) — The Guardian, 2026-11-10
- [Four countries defy Merz as EU budget fight over Ukraine aid intensifies](https://mins.news/en/video/137601) — euronews, 2026-11-10
- [Merz threatens to block EU budget unless members commit to long-term Ukraine funding](https://mins.news/en/item/136127) — Meduza, 2026-11-09
