Poland’s foreign minister warned that the country cannot assure that a flight carrying Russian President Vladimir Putin over its territory could be grounded, amid plans for a Budapest meeting with Donald Trump.
Will Putin Fly Over Polish Airspace?
Poland’s foreign minister, Radosław Sikorski, said that an independent Polish court could potentially order the plane to land. The minister emphasized that the government cannot guarantee such a decision.
Legal Uncertainty Ahead of the Budapest Summit
The meeting between President Trump and President Putin is set to take place in Budapest. Because Russian government aircraft are barred from flying over EU territory since the full‑scale invasion of Ukraine, questions arose about how the flight would reach the capital.
Poland Faces Diplomatic Sensitivities
The minister noted that the Kremlin is aware of the restrictions, and if the flight does proceed, Russia may opt for an alternative route. He highlighted that the presence of a Russian president in a European Union member state, already under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, raises significant political discomfort.
Potential Routes and Flight Choices
According to the BBC, Putin is likely to travel in an Ilyushin Il‑96, a “flying Kremlin” jet chosen for safety. The most probable path would follow the western Black Sea coast, then through Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia or Romania. Serbia is less problematic as it is not an EU member, and its president maintains good ties with Moscow. A route over Bulgaria and Romania would require permission and aerial escort. An alternate, longer path could go via Turkey, then around the southern Greek coast, Montenegro, and Serbia, adding about three hours to the journey.
