Commission president Von der Leyen told the European Parliament she was aware of the difficult budgetary situation in member states. (EPA Images pic)

STRASBOURG: EU chief Ursula von der Leyen warned Tuesday against a push by Germany and other member states for "large cuts" to the EU's next long-term budget, saying "critical" European priorities were at stake.

Germany and five other so-called "frugal" countries - Austria, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden – want the EU budget for 2028-2034 reduced by "several hundred billion euros" compared with the European Commission's draft.

Commission president Von der Leyen told the European Parliament she was "aware of the difficult budgetary situation in member states."