Four European countries are challenging the ultimate German over funding for Ukraine.
Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria rejected German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz's demand to condition the approval of the EU budget for the years 2028-2034 on new financial commitments to Ukraine.
Meraz has threatened to block the budget if the 27 members of the bloc do not agree to share Kyiv's financing costs. Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Pico classified the pressure as "blackmail" and warned that his country could also exercise its right of veto.
The impasse comes as Brussels debates how to finance some of the additional 70 billion euros expected for Ukraine in 2027, revealing disagreements among European governments over the costs and continuity of financial support for the country.