Costa seeks to reassure Merz after EU budget ultimatum
1 Video View·Nov 11, 2026
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European Council President Antonio Costa has sought
to reassure German Chancellor
Friedrich Merz after he sent a letter laying down
an ultimatum linking the EU budget to
financing for Ukraine by all member states.
Merz' ultimatum received pushback from the
leaders of Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria,
with Slovak Prime Minister Robert
Robert Fico calling it blackmail.
Costa agreed to discuss Ukraine at an informal summit
in Dublin this week, allowing Merz
to raise the issue directly with other EU leaders.
Merz told Costa that a commitment to provide fresh aid
for Ukraine was an essential prerequisite
for approving the next EU budget,
but the disagreement risks creating a political deadlock.
Both the EU's long-term budget
and the proposed financial support for Ukraine
require unanimous approval,
but the four countries want to opt out from any future loan to Ukraine.
Good morning.