Ukrainian President Zelenski said Budapest is not the best venue for a peace summit, criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Orban, and highlighted alternative locations.
Zelenski Criticizes Budapest as Venue for Peace Talks and Blasts Orban
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski announced he is ready to travel to Budapest for peace talks but does not consider it the optimal setting. He listed several alternatives, including Switzerland, Austria, the Vatican, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, as more suitable options for a neutral meeting spot.
During the same press conference, Zelenski condemned Prime Minister Viktor Orban for allegedly blocking aid to Ukraine and expressed disbelief that Orban could contribute positively to the peace process. He singled out Orban among politicians who he said continue to promote the myth of Russian advantage.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Rejects Idea of Putin in European Capitals
Before the EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys declared that Vladimir Putin has no place in any European capital. He urged that “the only place for Putin in Europe is The Hague tribunal, none of our capitals.”
Putin May Face Hurdles to Reach Budapest
If the summit proceeds, Putin could encounter travel difficulties because Russian aircraft are banned from EU and US airspace, requiring special permission to fly to Hungary. The BBC speculates that he might use his Il‑96 jet equipped with defensive systems; Hungary has said it is prepared to provide security and facilitate the leader’s transit.
European Commission states that member states can allow Russian aircraft to overfly their territory, but Putin may need to plot a detour via Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, or Romania, as overflight of Ukraine and Poland is prohibited. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto assured that Putin would face no arrest risk and could freely enter, attend talks, and return to Moscow.
Russian Media Dominate Coverage of the Budapest Summit
The Budapest summit has become the top story on Russian media, with Kremlin outlets portraying President Zelenski and EU politicians as peace opponents and implying that the West seeks to block the meeting because of its location.
The anti‑West, anti‑Ukrainian campaign has cited statements from extremist Western politicians, including Fianna Fáil’s Armando Mema and UK Labour’s George Galloway. Russian opposition figures criticized Hungary for potentially hosting Putin and urged the EU to prevent it, warning that the close ties between Orban and Putin could destabilize Ukraine and Europe.
