Merz urges EU to allocate €90 billion to Ukraine, ignoring Orbán's veto
Photo: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (Getty Images)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on the European Union to urgently unblock €90 billion in financial assistance for Ukraine, DW reports.
Merz stressed that decisions should not be held hostage by individual member states.
"We should not take into account even a single country of the European Union that, for domestic political reasons and due to an ongoing election campaign, is creating this blockade in Europe," he said during a speech in the Bundestag on March 18.
The German Chancellor was likely referring to Hungary, which has threatened to block both financial aid to Ukraine and a new package of sanctions against Russia.
At the same time, Merz emphasized that Europe, together with the United States, must increase pressure on Moscow.
EU leaders agreed to provide Ukraine with a loan back in December 2025. The funds are intended to cover Ukraine’s needs through 2027, but a final decision by the European Council is required to start disbursements.
In particular, Hungary and Slovakia are slowing down the process. Budapest links its position to the situation surrounding the Druzhba oil pipeline.
Because of Hungary’s stance, Ukraine risks being left without funding as early as this spring.
