German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is urging European Union member states to agree on new financial aid for Ukraine before negotiating the EU’s next budget. Kyiv needs around €45 billion from the EU to cover part of the massive budget shortfall projected for 2027. Merz warns that all member states must contribute their fair share, or an agreement on the Union’s budget for the next seven years will also be at risk, Euronews reports.
Ukraine faces a potential budget deficit of around €70 billion in 2027, driven by Russia’s repeated air strikes and the costs of the war. The European Union has pledged to cover roughly two-thirds of that amount, or €45 billion, but member states have yet to agree on where the money will come from.
In a letter to European Council President António Costa seen by Euronews, Friedrich Merz argues that all EU member states must contribute to this financial effort, not just those that have provided the bulk of the support so far.
“A collective commitment, whereby everyone, without exception, contributes fairly to closing this deficit, is an essential prerequisite for resolving this problem and discussing any other issues, particularly those with financial implications,” the German chancellor stated.
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