German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has threatened to block the European Union’s next seven-year budget unless all 27 member states agree to contribute additional funding to cover Ukraine’s projected budget shortfall. Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic have indicated that they will not take part in further financing for Kyiv. Merz is demanding a common commitment to support Ukraine "from 2028 onwards, backed by all member states" and wants the issue resolved before negotiations over the EU’s 2028-2034 budget proceed. ...