Merz’s budget gamble: no Ukraine funding, no EU budget

AI Summary

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is linking agreement on the EU budget to unanimous financial support for Ukraine, making the budget a test of European unity. The newsletter also notes that Europe has sent a delegation to Abu Dhabi but remains outside the trilateral talks, while a Black Sea strategy faces difficulties.

Good morning. I’m Luca Bertuzzi, holding the pen for today’s newsletter. In this edition: Merz ties the EU budget to unanimous financial support for Ukraine, Europe sends a delegation to Abu Dhabi but stays outside the trilateral talks, and the Black Sea strategy struggles to stay afloat.