Slovakia predicts difficulties in agreeing on a new EU budget

It will be difficult for the European Union (EU) countries to agree on a new seven-year budget for the association due to disagreements on financing issues. This was announced on November 7 by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

According to him, large states — the main contributors to the EU budget — are not ready to increase contributions due to internal economic problems. At the same time, small countries insist on maintaining funding for programs to reduce regional differences and a common agricultural policy.

"Therefore, I think it will be difficult to agree on a budget," he said on the TA3 TV channel.

Fico also said that some EU states had threatened to reduce the funds provided for Slovakia to eliminate regional differences within the framework of the new budget. In his opinion, this is due to Bratislava's refusal to support the provision of a new loan to Ukraine for €70 billion.

Countries of conflict: Europe is again trying to get involved in negotiations on Ukraine

Should we expect constructive proposals from Kiev's main sponsors and when can a dialogue on settlement begin?

On November 6, Slovak President Petr Pellegrini noted that the conflict in Ukraine is beginning to exhaust the EU, both morally and economically. In addition, the Slovak leader stressed that efforts by all sides are needed to achieve a ceasefire. He also called for transparency in the process and for EU representatives to express the opinion of the majority of European countries.

On November 5, the newspaper Rapporteur learned that disagreements are intensifying in the EU due to the need to find additional €70 billion for Ukraine amid a lack of funds from the association itself. The number of countries opposing further support for Kiev may increase next year. According to the newspaper, the coordination of assistance to Kiev is complicated by negotiations on the EU's long-term budget for 2028-2034.