Leaders of four countries rejected March's ultimatum on the EU budget.
The prime ministers of Slovakia and the Czech Republic accused German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz of extortion. The leaders of Hungary and Bulgaria also rejected his demand: earlier in March, Mertz announced his willingness to block the draft EU budget for seven years if European countries do not contribute funds to help Ukraine.
The head of the European Council, Antonio Costa, prepared a compromise proposal. It is scheduled to be discussed at an informal meeting of EU leaders on November 13 in Dublin.