Merz accused of ‘blackmail’ by Slovak PM after demand for Ukraine aid in EU budget

German chancellor has signalled he will block budget with no aid deal, complaining that burden is carried mostly by only a few member states'

Friedrich Merz has signalled he will block the EU's seven-year budget unless there is a deal on financial aid for Ukraine, triggering accusations of typical blackmail" from some other European leaders and setting the stage for stormy talks later this month.

The German chancellor's intervention has angered leaders in central Europe who are net beneficiaries of EU funds but do not want to take part in an upcoming funding round to support Ukraine's war effort.