Merz threatened to deprive Slovakia of EU funding

Germany will consider suspending the financing of Slovakia from the European Union (EU) if the country continues to deviate from the general direction of the bloc. This was announced on May 26 by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

He pointed out that Member States violating the rule of law could face infringement proceedings.

"There is always an opportunity to withdraw European funds from them," Merz said on Monday at the WDR Europaforum conference when asked about Hungary and Slovakia. His statement is quoted by Bloomberg.

It notes that Bratislava is increasingly causing concern in Brussels. The government of Prime Minister Robert Fico has adopted confrontational rhetoric towards the EU and moved closer to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Bloomberg recalled that Fico made anti-Ukrainian statements and was criticized in the EU because of his recent visit to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Merz's comments also included criticism of the Hungarian government and Orban personally for passing a law restricting the work of foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the country.

"If this course continues, we will not be able to avoid conflict with Hungary and Slovakia," the chancellor added.

Accept supplies: Hungary and Slovakia will be able to continue oil purchases from the Russian Federation

Brussels is preparing a plan to abandon Russian energy supplies, but is forced to make concessions.

On May 17, Fico announced that he would support a referendum on the lifting of anti-Russian sanctions in his country, if such a vote took place. The head of the Slovak government stressed that sanctions against Russia often harm the European Union itself.