Slovak PM says Slovakia and Hungary will not fund EU aid for Ukraine in 2027

What Happened

At the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said Ukraine had asked the EU to provide an additional €70 billion in assistance for 2027, but that Slovakia and Hungary would not participate in the initiative. Fico called it 'dangerous' to link negotiations on the EU's future budget to financing for Ukraine, and said Slovakia wanted to support Ukraine through projects in education, road infrastructure and energy interconnections rather than another potential EU loan. Fico said Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar shared this position. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at the summit that the war would cost Ukraine €155 billion next year and asked EU leaders to find an additional €70 billion. The European Commission acknowledged that Ukraine's 2027 budget faces a €70 billion shortfall to be covered by international partners, and the European Council instructed the Commission to prepare proposals for covering that shortfall.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

Slovakia and Hungary opposing participation in an additional €70 billion EU financing package for Ukraine signals a likely veto point in EU budget negotiations, which require unanimity for some decisions. Ukraine's stated €155 billion annual war cost and the European Commission's confirmation of the €70 billion shortfall underscore Ukraine's dependence on external financing to sustain its war effort and state functions. Divisions among EU members could force alternative funding mechanisms or delay support, impacting Ukraine's 2027 budget planning and the broader EU consensus on Russia's war.

Watch For

The European Commission is now expected to prepare proposals for covering Ukraine's €70 billion shortfall in 2027; monitor what financing instruments are proposed and whether they require unanimity. Subsequent EU budget negotiations and summit conclusions may reveal formal Hungarian and Slovak positions. Also watch for Ukraine's 2027 state budget approval and any bilateral alternative support projects Fico mentioned, as well as whether the Hungarian government publicly confirms or denies Fico's statement.