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  "published_at": "2026-11-12T01:57:06.263Z",
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    "headline": "Slovakia's Fico accuses Germany's Merz of blackmail over Ukraine money",
    "dek": "Merz says Germany will not approve the next EU budget unless every member commits to funding Ukraine. Four governments are refusing. Ukraine is 70 billion euros short for 2027.",
    "prose": "Friedrich Merz tied Germany's approval of the European Union's 2028-2034 budget to all member states committing to fund Ukraine.[^1] The German chancellor set out the position in a letter to António Costa, the president of the European Council.[^2]\n\nRobert Fico, the prime minister of Slovakia, accused him of blackmail.[^3]\n\n## The four\n\nFour countries resisted linking the long-term budget to new financial support for Ukraine.[^4] They are Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Bulgaria.[^5] All four are seeking to avoid further contributions to Ukraine's funding.[^6]\n\n## Germany's leverage\n\nGermany is the largest net contributor to the EU budget.[^7] A budget of this kind needs every member's agreement, so Germany can block it. So can each of the four.\n\nBoth sides are holding the same veto over different things.\n\n## The gap\n\nUkraine faces a funding gap of €70 billion for 2027.[^8] The EU has pledged to cover around €45 billion of it.[^9] That leaves about €25 billion with no source.\n\nLast December, EU leaders agreed to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion loan.[^10]\n\n## What comes next\n\nEU leaders are preparing to meet in Dublin on Thursday and Friday.[^11]",
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