The possibility of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Budapest hinges on overcoming several significant hurdles. Should the summit proceed within the next two weeks, Putin’s travel plans would require special arrangements, particularly concerning airspace access.
When Putin traveled to Alaska for a summit in August, the US granted special permission for his modified Ilyushin Il-96 aircraft, nicknamed the “Flying Kremlin,” to enter US airspace. However, Russian planes are currently banned from both US and EU airspace. This means that if Putin were to fly to Budapest, he would need explicit dispensation from EU member states to transit through their territories.
While such permissions are feasible, landing in landlocked Hungary presents unique challenges for the Russian leader, who has rarely traveled abroad and hasn’t visited the EU in years. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated that both presidents are willing to hold such a meeting, though its specifics remain unclear.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the EU froze the assets of both President Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. A comprehensive ban on Russian aircraft flying over any of the 27 EU member states was also implemented. Many of these nations, including Hungary and its neighbors, are also NATO members.
Furthermore, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has accused Putin of war crimes, specifically the unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. While Hungary is in the process of withdrawing from the ICC, this accusation adds another layer of complication.
Despite these complexities, Hungarian officials express confidence that the necessary arrangements can be made. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has assured that Putin will be able to enter Hungary for successful talks and return home. The EU, while not directly involved in facilitating the meeting, has stated that any diplomatic effort promoting peace in Ukraine is welcome.
Navigating the airspace presents a considerable challenge. Ukraine is obviously off-limits, and Poland, due to strained relations with Moscow, is also unlikely. A potential route could involve flying over the Black Sea, through Turkey, and then via Bulgaria or Romania into Hungary. Serbia, a non-EU member with a direct flight connection to Moscow, could also be part of the journey.
Bulgaria and Romania, both EU and NATO members, would need to grant permission for Putin’s plane to cross their airspace and potentially provide an escort. The BBC has reached out to the foreign ministries of both countries for comment.
Alternatively, a safer but much longer route could involve flying via Turkey, along Greece’s southern coast, and then through Montenegrin airspace before reaching Serbia.
The choice of Budapest as a venue is particularly beneficial for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who maintains strong relationships with both Putin and Trump. A high-profile international summit would likely boost Orbán’s standing ahead of upcoming elections. Orbán has publicly expressed skepticism about the EU’s stance on Ukraine and has stated that Brussels would be excluded from this peace process.
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