FT: Trump-Putin summit in Budapest sparks alarm across Europe

Donald Trump’s announcement that his next summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin will be hosted in Budapest by Hungary’s pro-Russian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has sparked concern among European leaders and inflamed tensions with Kyiv, Financial Times reports.

The US and Russian leaders agreed last week to meet in Hungary following what the White House described as a “friendly call.” The next day, Trump reportedly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to concede to some of Moscow’s demands — a move seen as aligning with the Kremlin’s stance on ending the war.

The choice of Budapest has frustrated European capitals, given Orbán’s longstanding ties with Moscow and his frequent opposition to EU policy, despite Hungary’s membership in both the EU and NATO. “No one likes it,” said one EU diplomat. “We’re all grinning through our teeth whilst saying this is fine.”

Zelenskyy voiced his displeasure, stating, “I do not consider Budapest to be the best venue for such a meeting,” citing Orbán’s consistent efforts to block military aid and soften sanctions against Russia. “I do not believe that a prime minister who blocks Ukraine everywhere can do anything positive for Ukrainians or even provide a balanced contribution,” he added, though he expressed openness to a parallel meeting with Trump if invited.

Zelenskyy partly blamed Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, for selecting Budapest, noting, “There were many other worthy options — Switzerland, Austria, the Vatican, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Türkiye.”

The venue choice is also controversial due to the ICC arrest warrant against Putin for war crimes. “It’s not nice... to see that a person put to the arrest warrant by the ICC is coming to a European country,” said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Lithuania’s foreign minister added, “The only place for Putin in Europe [is] in The Hague, in front of the tribunal.”

Still, Trump praised Orbán as a “leader that we like,” adding, “Putin likes him, I like him... I think he will be a very good host.”

EU leaders are expected to discuss the summit during a meeting in Brussels this week amid wider efforts to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.

By Vafa Guliyeva