Hungary vows to welcome Putin, defying ICC arrest warrant

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said this while talking to reporters.

He said the date and details of the Trump-Putin meeting would be announced after all preparatory talks among officials from the three countries are completed.

“Of course, here in Hungary, in Budapest, we are ready to provide the proper conditions for the American and Russian presidents to hold talks in a safe and calm environment. This is the safest country in Europe, one of the safest in the world - so if there’s any place to hold secure talks, it’s here,” Szijjártó emphasized.

At the same time, he made it clear that Putin would be able to enter Hungary and return home without any problems.

“We are, of course, waiting to respectfully welcome President Vladimir Putin. We will ensure that he can enter Hungary, hold successful talks here, and then return home. No coordination with anyone is required,” the Hungarian minister said.

"We are a sovereign country. We will respectfully receive Russian President Vladimir Putin as a guest and provide conditions for his talks with the U.S. president," he said.

• In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin, accusing him of the illegal deportation of thousands of Ukrainian children. The warrant means he could be arrested if he travels to any ICC member state.
• In early April 2025, Hungary announced its intention to withdraw from the ICC during a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is also under an arrest warrant from the court.
• In response, the ICC’s governing body said Hungary’s decision to leave the Court was a “matter of concern.” In May, the Hungarian parliament voted to withdraw from the ICC.
• Hungary’s withdrawal from the ICC will take effect one year after it notifies the UN Secretary-General. The country submitted this notification on June 2, 2025.
• Until then, Hungary remains bound by its obligations to the ICC, including the enforcement of arrest warrants.
• On October 16, President Donald Trump had a phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, right before Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits Washington.
• Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán says that his country has begun preparations for a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.