U.S. President Donald Trump’s continued efforts to mediate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war have taken a new turn, with reports indicating that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin are likely to meet again soon—this time in Hungary. Their previous meeting took place in Alaska, drawing significant global attention. The proposed talks in Europe come amid heightened diplomatic sensitivity, as the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant against Putin, prompting speculation over whether the Russian leader could face detention.
The ICC warrant, issued in 2023, accuses Putin of war crimes related to the alleged abduction of Ukrainian children. However, the ICC does not possess its own police force and depends on member states to enforce such warrants. Since Hungary is an ICC member, it technically has the authority to detain Putin if his aircraft enters its airspace, along with neighboring countries like Serbia and Romania. Reports suggest that Germany has urged Hungary to act on the ICC directive, though the likelihood of such action remains uncertain.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has been in power for 15 years, has initiated the process of withdrawing his country from the ICC since April this year. A close ally of both Trump and Putin, Orbán is reportedly providing assurances for Putin’s security during the meeting. Hungary has previously ignored ICC directives, including one issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this year, suggesting a pattern of non-compliance with the court’s mandates.
Political observers note that the Trump-Putin meeting could be crucial for Orbán domestically, as he faces rising public discontent. Budapest is being considered the most suitable venue for the high-profile talks. Meanwhile, uncertainty prevails across Europe, as countries supporting Ukraine continue to impose sanctions isolating Russia. While Russian aircraft are currently banned from European airspace, diplomatic discussions are said to be underway to grant a temporary exemption for Putin’s visit to Budapest in the interest of potential peace negotiations.