At a joint press conference in Berlin on Nov. 10, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz demanded that the European Union incorporate its Ukraine policy into the bloc’s upcoming long‑term budget, insisting that future financial support for Kyiv be baked into the negotiations rather than left to individual member states.
Confirmed facts: Merz said the EU must not reduce its financial support for Ukraine, emphasizing that it is a matter of collective European security. He added that a common understanding among EU members on how to support Ukraine in the coming years is a key condition for a budget agreement. Merz acknowledged that at least four member states held differing views on the approach. Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar echoed the need for careful budget talks, noting the difficulty of reaching consensus among the 27 EU states. Magyar stated Hungary believes funding for traditional areas such as agriculture and cohesion policies should not be reduced, and called for changes to member states’ contributions. He said Hungary would remain a constructive partner in the negotiations but would not compromise on its national interests.
Unconfirmed observations: A Facebook group post claims Chancellor Merz said he doubts Ukraine will join the European Union before the end of the next budget cycle, which runs until 2034, and stressed that Russia remains a threat. No other reputable source has reported this statement, so the information is currently unverified.
