+++ Ukraine-Krieg +++: Merz dringt auf Bekenntnis aller EU-Staaten zu Ukraine-Hilfe

Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (CDU) has urged all EU countries to contribute a "fair share" to closing the billion-dollar gap in funding for Ukraine. In a letter to EU Council President Antonio Costa, he threatened indirect blockages in other financial matters if there is no unanimous commitment to Ukrainian aid. This commitment is seen as a "crucial prerequisite for resolving this issue and discussing further matters, especially those with financial implications," according to the chancellor's letter, which was obtained by the Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

The 45 billion euros needed for Ukraine next year are at stake. Merz also calls for a solution in the EU budget negotiations for 2028-2034, involving all member states in financing Ukraine's defense against Russia. The EU aims to reach an agreement on the overall financial framework by the end of the year. Merz emphasizes that the aid to Ukraine is "a matter of our indivisible European security, and the burden-sharing in aid provision must apply as well."

He urges the EU Council President to put the issue on the agenda of the informal EU summit in Dublin on Friday. Initially, the EU Commission estimated the financial gap at 70 billion euros for the next year, with the European Union expected to cover 45 billion. However, this amount is now insufficient. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had already demanded 70 billion euros from his allies in October to withstand the assault by Russian aggressors.

The heads of state and government have therefore asked the EU Commission to propose covering the additional financing need. However, several member states are resisting. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico have already announced they will not participate in new EU financial aid for Ukraine.

Hungary and the Czech Republic are also seen as wavering candidates. Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar is set to meet Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Chancellery today. The Ukrainian aid is likely to play a crucial role, given that Germany is the largest financial contributor to Ukraine within the EU. This is why Chancellor Merz is pushing for a broader distribution of the burden.