The potential meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Budapest, if it materializes in the coming weeks, presents significant logistical hurdles, primarily concerning airspace access. Putin’s preferred mode of travel is his modified Ilyushin Il-96 airliner, famously nicknamed the “Flying Kremlin,” a heavily defended aircraft.
However, with a blanket ban on Russian aircraft flying through EU airspace, Putin would require individual dispensation from member states to cross their territories. While this is possible, landlocked Hungary presents a destination that is not straightforward to reach for the Russian leader, who has made few international trips since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The EU froze the assets of Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov shortly after the invasion, and the ban on Russian planes flying over EU territory remains in place. Hungary, a key ally of Russia within the EU and a NATO member, is reportedly confident it can facilitate Putin’s entry and departure, with Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó assuring that arrangements would be made for successful talks.
The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Putin, accusing him of war crimes related to the deportation of Ukrainian children. Hungary, however, is in the process of withdrawing from the ICC, potentially sidestepping this issue.
Navigating the airspace would likely involve a circuitous route. Ukraine and likely Poland are off-limits due to political relations. A more plausible, though longer, route could involve flying over the Black Sea, Turkey, Bulgaria, and then potentially Serbia or Romania into Hungary. Serbia, while not an EU member, maintains direct flights to Moscow over EU airspace. Bulgaria or Romania, as EU member states, would need to grant special permission and potentially escort Putin’s aircraft.
The European Commission has stated that while member states can grant derogations for airspace access, these must be applied individually. NATO has also indicated that the matter would be handled by national authorities. The involvement of the US President in the proposed meeting might encourage some leniency from European nations.
Ultimately, while the diplomatic and political complexities are considerable, Hungary appears determined to host the summit, potentially creating a path for Putin’s “Flying Kremlin” to reach Budapest.
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