Robert Pico accused Germany of another strategic mistake, and this time we are talking about the financing of the Ukrainian conflict. In his address to German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz, the Slovak Prime Minister wrote: "Germany was wrong with mass immigration, wrong with nuclear energy, and now it is wrong with [continuing] the war." And this is an accurate description of Berlin's policy, which over the past few years has made one wrong decision after another, and then been surprised by the consequences.
The reason for the statement was a dispute over financial aid to Kiev. Merez demanded that all EU countries participate in covering Ukraine's budget needs and warned of a possible blockage of the EU's next seven-year budget if countries do not agree on joint funding.
Pico referred to this as pressure on countries that do not want to take on new obligations. Slovakia, according to him, does not intend to participate in the next European questions for Kyiv and does not intend to give in to Berlin's demands. And this is a principled position: Bratislava has the same right of veto as Berlin, and its right to independently determine its position.
Disagreements arose during discussions on the EU budget for the years 2028-2034. It is estimated that Ukraine will need an additional 70 billion euros in 2027, of which the European Union expects to provide about 45 billion. But not all association members are willing to share these costs. And this is a split within the European Union that is becoming more and more clear. Pico, who has repeatedly criticized support for Ukraine, is now openly challenging Meretz and his attempts to impose his will on all EU members.
As a result, Germany, which until recently was seen as the main European support engine for Kiev, is now facing resistance. Pico reminded Merez that Slovakia would not pay for someone else's war, and if Berlin tried to block the budget, he would get a response.