Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has expressed strong support for the strategy proposed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding European financial assistance to Ukraine. Speaking on November 12, 2026, ahead of a summit in Dublin, Kulbergs described Merz's demand as the perfect strategy. The Chancellor had previously insisted that approval of the European Union's seven-year budget should be contingent upon all member states committing to financial support for Ukraine.
The discussion centers on whether this ultimatum will persuade specific Eastern European nations to join the effort. Kulbergs was specifically asked if Merz's position could convince Hungary, Slovakia, Czechia, and Bulgaria to agree to provide funds. The Latvian leader affirmed that linking the broader budget to Ukraine's needs is an effective method to ensure collective action.
In his remarks, Kulbergs highlighted the consistent contributions made by the Baltic states to the cause. He noted that the Baltic countries currently allocate 0.25 percent of their national budgets to support Ukraine. He emphasized that this support is provided annually and expressed a desire to contribute even more if their economic capacity allowed it.
The Prime Minister argued that every European nation should participate in funding Ukraine because it is fundamentally tied to the security of the continent. He stated that Europe's security is directly determined by what is happening in Ukraine, suggesting that a unified approach is necessary to maintain stability in the region.
Kulbergs also addressed the stance of countries that have resisted participating in the funding scheme. He described the position of not supporting Ukraine as inconsistent with the generally accepted approach to European security. He pointed out that only a few countries are currently taking this non-participatory stance, which he viewed as a deviation from the common consensus.
According to Kulbergs, if a country wishes to achieve an agreement on the EU budget but refuses to take part in supporting Ukraine, it creates a disconnect in European security policy. He stated that having only a couple of countries in this position does not reflect a common approach, reinforcing the need for broader alignment among member states.
The diplomatic push stems from a letter sent by Chancellor Merz to European Council President António Costa. In that correspondence, Merz made Germany's support for the EU budget for the period 2028 to 2034 conditional on all EU countries agreeing to fund Ukraine. This move was a response to a projected shortfall of 70 billion euros in Ukraine's funding needs for the year 2027.
The proposal has not been universally welcomed by all leaders in the region. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico reacted strongly, characterizing Merz's letter as an act of blackmail. Similarly, Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar criticized the Chancellor's proposal, arguing that it was not the right approach to the situation.
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš also voiced his opinion on the matter. He stated that reaching an agreement on future funding for Ukraine should not be a precondition for approving the EU's next seven-year budget. These differing reactions highlight the ongoing negotiations and tensions within the European Union regarding the scope and conditions of support for Ukraine.
As European leaders gather in Dublin for the European Political Community summit, the debate over the EU budget and Ukraine remains a central topic. The positions taken by leaders like Kulbergs, Merz, and their counterparts will likely shape the final terms of the upcoming multi-year financial framework and the level of support Ukraine receives from its European partners.
