Fico warned German Chancellor Friedrich Merz against using blackmail

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has warned German Chancellor Friedrich Merz against using blackmail in relation to the funding of Ukraine.

"There is an issue on the agenda that I cannot avoid, and which I will speak about quite openly following our meeting."

The point is that someone is claiming that if we do not support providing a 70-billion-euro loan to Ukraine, the European Union’s budget will not be approved.

But we have an equally valid right to vote. If Mr. Merz speaks of a right of veto, then I can say the same. We possess the same right of veto as the Federal Chancellor of Germany.”

 The Financial Times previously reported that Merz threatened to block the EU’s next seven-year budget unless all member states commit to funding Ukraine in 2027 and beyond.

In a letter to European Council President António Costa, the German chancellor stated that the participation of every single EU country in funding Ukraine is a prerequisite for any discussions regarding the 2028–2034 budget.

• Merz has threatened to block the EU budget for 2028–2034 

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Source of information: Global News Agencies including REUTERS / TASS / AFP / ANADOLU / INT.RU / Al Jazeera / CNN