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This article has been translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The news agency is not responsible for the content of the translated article. The original was published by ANSA.

Putin embarrasses the EU in Hungary, sanctions at risk

by AI | 17.Oct 2025 | Europe in brief AI

From Washington, on the Ukrainian front, a helping hand has not arrived but a step that embarrasses the EU. And it throws gasoline on the fire of the clash between Brussels and Budapest.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban - Photo: Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa

Brussels (ANSA) – A new Trump-Putin summit, this time in Budapest within a couple of weeks, “to put an end to this inglorious war.” This was announced by the American president after a surprise phone call with the Russian head of state the day before the meeting at the White House with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump spoke of a “productive conversation” and “great progress” with Putin.

Great satisfaction from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. For the Hungarian prime minister, the announced meeting represents “great news for those who want peace.” “We are ready,” he added. “President Ursula Von der Leyen welcomes any step towards lasting peace in Ukraine. Any meeting that moves towards a fair and lasting peace process for Ukraine is welcome,” stated Olof Gill, spokesperson for the Commission. “If the meeting takes place and goes in this direction, it is welcome,” he added.

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin. Prime Minister Viktor Orban, while receiving his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in recent months, had announced Hungary’s exit from the ICC. Putin’s plane would not be able to fly over other countries that are part of the Hague Court and have not disavowed the arrest warrant for the Kremlin man.

The Russian president, as well as Foreign Minister Sergej Lavrov, has been on the blacklist since the day after the invasion of Ukraine, although there is no entry ban into the Union. The announcement of a sequel to the summit in Alaska in Budapest comes as Brussels struggles to find a way to use frozen Russian assets for the Repair Loan to Kiev, following the vetoes that Budapest and Bratislava have placed on the nineteenth package of sanctions measures (October 16).