Fico calls German chancellor's letter on EU budget 'blackmail' as Babiš joins criticism

In brief

• Slovak PM Robert Fico called German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's letter on the EU budget blackmail.
• Czech PM Andrej Babiš joined the criticism at a joint Czech-Slovak government session in Bratislava.
• Merz's conditions tie approval of the 2028–2034 EU budget to all members co-funding Ukraine's deficit.

Merz's letter sparks rare joint protest

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote to European Council President António Costa, making support for the seven-year EU budget conditional on all member states committing to cover part of Ukraine's budget deficit next year. The Financial Times reported the letter's contents. (Nenecháme se vydírat Merzem, prohlásili Babiš s Ficem – Seznam Zprávy) (Robert Fico označil list Friedricha Merza, v ktorom hrozí zablokovaním rozpočtu EÚ, za vydieranie – Aktuality.sk) („Typické vydírání.“ Babiš a Fico kritizovali Merze kvůli tlaku na financování Ukrajiny – Aktuálně.cz)

At the start of a joint session of the Slovak and Czech governments in Bratislava, Fico said the move amounted to blackmail and that he rejected it. He argued that Slovakia holds the same veto power as Germany and is a sovereign state entitled to its own position. (Merz pohrozil blokovaním rozpočtu EÚ, ak krajiny nepodporia Ukrajinu. Fico hovorí o vydieraní – STVR)

Babiš backed that view. He said the German demand ignored that the EU budget already includes around 100 billion euros for Ukraine, and he rejected the idea that the United States should negotiate peace on behalf of Europe. (Babiš s Ficem se pustili do Merze kvůli jeho ultimátu – Novinky.cz)

Dispute over the budget and Ukraine funding

Merz's conditions concern the 2028–2034 EU budget, which needs unanimous approval. He has linked it to a 70 billion euro loan for Ukraine, and Fico noted that a no vote from any member could block the package.

Both leaders also complained that Europe pays for the war indirectly through higher energy prices and is sidelined in peace talks.

Meeting continues behind closed doors

The Bratislava meeting was the tenth intergovernmental consultation between the two countries. Officials said it would focus on joint projects and cooperation. (Česká a slovenská vláda společně jednají v Bratislavě – ČT24) Fico said he wanted a private discussion with Babiš, possibly lasting several hours, to decide how to respond.

The two governments were scheduled to hold a joint press conference later on Tuesday. (Fico a Babiš sa vyjadrujú po spoločnom rokovaní vlád Česka a Slovenska – HNonline.sk)