Merz Urges All EU States to Share Ukraine Costs
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants every one of the EU's 27 countries to contribute to a 335 billion kroner Ukraine war bill.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Financial Planning
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on all 27 EU countries to contribute to a 335 billion kroner bill for the war in Ukraine. In a letter to European Council President António Costa, he asked that the issue be prioritized at the informal EU summit in Dublin on Friday.
Why it matters
The demand links the war's cost to negotiations over the EU's next long-term budget, which will determine how the bloc divides its spending. Germany is the largest contributor to the EU budget, and the dispute exposes divisions over how much each member state should pay.
Merz's letter cites a 335 billion kroner Ukraine war bill, and last year's 90 billion euro loan drew financial responsibility from only 24 of 27 members. How the cost would be split and whether all 27 states will agree remain unresolved.
The players
Friedrich Merz
Chancellor of Germany and leader of the Christian Democratic Union, who sent the letter demanding that all EU states contribute to the Ukraine war bill.
António Costa
Portuguese politician serving as President of the European Council, who received Merz's letter and was asked to prioritize the issue at the Dublin summit.
Giorgia Meloni
Prime Minister of Italy, who asked EU leaders to discuss the bloc's position in Ukraine peace negotiations.
The details
Merz sent the demand in a letter to Costa, which was seen by the German news agency dpa, and wrote that every member state must make a fair contribution to offset the difference. Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia previously asked to remain outside the 90 billion euro loan arrangement, while Germany, Denmark and Sweden are among six countries seeking spending restraint.
Timeline
Last year: EU approved the 90 billion euro Ukraine loan, with 24 of 27 member states taking financial responsibility.
Friday: Informal EU summit in Dublin, where Merz asked that the Ukraine cost issue be prioritized.
Before Christmas: EU leaders are expected to conclude agreement on the next long-term budget at three summits.
Big Picture
Merz's demand follows the 90 billion euro Ukraine loan, which only 24 of 27 member states agreed to finance and which Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia asked to stay outside of. The new request seeks universal participation, reopening a split the bloc has not resolved.
Because the cost is tied to the EU's long-term budget, how the 335 billion kroner is split would affect the funding available for shared programs across member states. Any shift in national contributions could also influence the spending priorities that reach ordinary citizens.
The takeaway
Shared financing for Ukraine now depends on whether all 27 member states can agree on a fair split, a question that will shape the EU budget well beyond this year. Readers should watch the pre-Christmas summits to see whether the divide over spending restraint narrows.
What happens next
EU leaders are expected to conclude an agreement on the next long-term budget at three summits before Christmas, when the Ukraine cost question is likely to be settled alongside it.
Further reading
For broader context on how shared costs are planned and divided, explore Financial Planning.
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Should your country pay more into the EU budget to fund Ukraine's war costs?
