Under threat from Putin: German chancellor firmly rejects the proposal - 'must be reasonable'

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz firmly rejected Ireland's proposal for a 13% cut in EU defense and competitiveness spending, while Russia poses a threat. The Irish proposal, which includes a more moderate cut in agriculture, drew harsh criticism from EU diplomats, who called it a "disappointment" and "weak." Germany leads a camp demanding deeper cuts, while France demands budget increases.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz firmly rejected Ireland's proposal for EU budget cuts, conditioning budget approval on it being "reasonable for those bearing the financial burden." The Irish proposal, submitted amid threats from Russia, includes a 13% reduction in defense and competitiveness spending, alongside a mere 3% cut in regional development, agriculture, and fisheries. Ireland's own defense budget is the lowest in the EU, standing at 0.2% of GDP in 2025, compared to a European average of 2.1%. The proposal faced severe criticism: Siegfried Muresan, the European People's Party's budget negotiator, said the budget "cuts defense while threats multiply." An EU diplomat called it "a disappointment that is not even close to a zone of agreement," adding that "the proposal fails to prepare the Union for the 21st century." The cuts mostly consist of a €38 billion reduction in foreign aid budgets. Germany leads a camp demanding deeper cuts, while France demands budget increases. EU leaders are expected to discuss the proposals at a summit on October 15-16.