Slovakia has accused German Chancellor Friedrich Merz of blackmail. Berlin wants all EU member states to support a new loan for Kyiv. In return, it is threatening to block the EU’s 2028–2034 budget.
“Mr Merz, Germany made a mistake with mass migration. It made a mistake with nuclear energy. And now you are making another mistake by financing the war!” Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico wrote on social media. He also posted a video of his speech, in which he sharply criticised the German chancellor.
Fico said Slovakia would not take part in a new €70 billion loan for Ukraine. He made the announcement at a joint meeting of the Slovak and Czech governments in Bratislava.
Four days earlier, on Friday, 6 November, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had sent a letter to European Council President António Costa. Berlin demanded that approval of the EU’s next long-term budget be linked to a commitment by every member state to finance Ukraine.
“On behalf of the Government of the Slovak Republic, I also want to make Slovakia’s position clear to Mr Merz. Slovakia will not be part of another €70 billion loan for Ukraine. Period,” Fico said.
His argument was not based on financial calculations alone.
“We pay the bills, but we have no seat at the negotiating table. So it is unacceptable for someone else to buy weapons while we pay for them. We cannot accept that 50,000 people are killed or wounded in this war every month,” the prime minister said.
But there were other reasons behind his decision. Fico said a lengthy conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart had strongly influenced his position. He added that the discussion had left him shocked.
“A few days ago, we held joint talks with the Ukrainian government. I am not authorised to discuss what happens behind closed doors, and I never do that. But I had a private conversation with the Ukrainian prime minister, and I was shocked by it. Literally shocked — by what was said about the war and how events may unfold in the future. I will say nothing more, because I cannot,” Fico said, citing the need to respect confidentiality.
Fico accuses Merz of blackmail
Merz set out his own calculations in the letter. He estimates that Ukraine will face a budget shortfall of around €70 billion in 2027. The EU, he says, should cover approximately €45 billion of that amount.
“A collective commitment by all countries, without exception, to fairly cover this deficit is a necessary precondition for resolving this issue and discussing any other matters,” the letter states.
The message is clear: all 27 member states must first commit to the loan. Only then can talks on the EU budget begin. If even one country refuses, Berlin could block the negotiations.
Fico described Merz’s approach as “typical blackmail”.
“We are a sovereign country. We have our own position on this issue,” he said. Fico also stressed that Slovakia has the same veto rights as Germany.
“If the federal chancellor comes along and says he will block the European Union budget because he wants every country to sign up to a €70 billion loan for Ukraine, and tells me I must say yes, then I will block it too. So let me make this clear publicly once again: Slovakia will never support a loan for Ukraine — in other words, another €70 billion gift.”
“I hope I have made myself clear and left no room for doubt. Slovakia will not be part of this gift,” he added.
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš also voiced disagreement with Merz’s position at the same meeting.
The EU has already approved €90 billion for Ukraine
In 2025, the EU approved a €90 billion loan for Ukraine. Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary secured exemptions and did not take part. Fico referred to that deal when explaining why he calls the new package a “gift”.
Those exemptions were agreed at the time. The current dispute, however, concerns the EU’s seven-year budget. The Council of the European Union must approve the long-term budget unanimously. That gives each of the 27 member states a say — and the power to block the process.
Bratislava therefore has the same tool as Berlin: its vote in the Council. Without unanimous approval, the budget cannot be adopted.
Fico has consistently called for an end to what he describes as a fratricidal war in Ukraine. He maintained that position in his latest speech, calling the continuation of hostilities utterly senseless. He also argued that the war is being used as a tool of influence.
“This is complete nonsense. The whole war is complete nonsense. It is the killing of people for someone else’s benefit — for money, for influence. I reject it,” the prime minister added.
For now, the two sides have set out their conditions. Merz wants all 27 countries to commit to the loan. Fico says Slovakia will not do so. He has also warned that Bratislava will take reciprocal action if Berlin blocks the EU budget.
