The European Commission has confirmed that the European Union's sanctions against Russia do not include an explicit travel ban on Russian President Vladimir Putin or Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. This means there are no legal obstacles to the two entering EU territory, including for a possible meeting between Putin and US President Donald Trump in Budapest.

Anita Hipper, a spokeswoman for the European Commission for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said during a daily briefing that Putin and Lavrov are subject to asset freezes, but the sanctions regime does not prohibit them from traveling. She stressed that while such a meeting has not been officially confirmed, the measures in place would not prevent the Russian president from entering an EU country.

Asked how Putin could physically arrive in Budapest given that EU airspace is closed to Russian aircraft, Hipper explained that any exception would have to be approved by the relevant member state. The European Commission itself does not have the authority to authorize such entry.

European Commission Deputy Spokesperson Olaf Gill commented on the broader implications of a possible meeting between Trump and Putin, saying the EU welcomes any effort that could lead to a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine. If such a meeting helps achieve that goal, it would be seen as a positive development, he added.

The European Commission's statement followed Donald Trump's announcement earlier this week that he had spoken to Putin for the first time in nearly two months and that the two sides were planning a meeting in Budapest. If it goes ahead, it would be the Russian president's first visit to an EU capital since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

According to Trump, during the phone call, the two discussed the supply of American weapons to Ukraine, including Tomahawk missiles, as well as the impact of new sanctions on Russian energy revenues.

Meanwhile, Hungary confirmed that it would host the meeting and assured that Putin would be received “with respect”. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó told journalists that the country was fully prepared to provide the necessary conditions for talks between the American and Russian leaders. He described Hungary as “the safest country in Europe” and “one of the safest in the world”.

Szijjarto stressed that Putin's visit would take place without any obstacles."We await President Putin with respect. He will be able to enter Hungary, hold successful talks and return home. We are a sovereign state and we do not need anyone's permission," he said.

His statement comes despite the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing an arrest warrant for Putin in March 2023 on charges of illegally deporting Ukrainian children. In April 2025, Hungary announced its intention to withdraw from the ICC, a decision that followed a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, also subject to a court order.

In May, the Hungarian parliament voted in favor of withdrawing from the ICC, with the decision taking effect one year after the formal notification to the UN Secretary-General, sent on June 2, 2025. Until then, Hungary remains legally obligated to execute arrest warrants issued by the court.

If the Budapest meeting takes place, it will not only mark Putin's first entry into EU territory since the start of the war, but will also underscore Hungary's increasingly independent position within the European Union with regard to Russia and international justice.