EU summit: Merz rejects budget plan as too high

At the EU summit in Brussels on 19 June 2026, Merz called the proposed EU budget 'far too high' and pushed for cuts, saying 'the numbers must come down'. Handelsblatt wrote that Merz considers the EU's financial proposals unaffordable.

The summit also saw a dispute over EU talks with Russia. The EU Council President's Russia initiative annoyed Merz, and German outlets described a power struggle between Merz and Costa over who should negotiate with Putin. Merz urged patience and pushed back against Brussels foreign policy. Merz also said Ukraine cannot become an EU member while at war, and Macron said he believes the EU cannot mediate in a Ukrainian settlement. Italian outlets separately listed Trump's insults toward allied leaders, including Merz.