Germany has called on Hungary to comply with International Criminal Court (ICC) obligations and execute the arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, should he visit the country for a planned meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Speaking in Berlin, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Johann Wandeful reaffirmed that despite Hungary’s announcement of its withdrawal from the ICC framework, that decision will not take effect until April next year. Until then, he said, Hungary remains legally bound to honor the ICC’s rules, including Putin’s arrest warrant issued in connection with alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
“Therefore, Hungary is obliged to execute the ICC’s arrest warrant if President Putin enters its territory,” Wandeful stated.
However, Budapest has made it clear it has no intention of detaining the Russian leader. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told reporters in Budapest that Putin would be welcomed with respect, and that Hungary guarantees him “unrestricted entry and exit” during his stay for the summit with Trump. “We are a sovereign country and need no coordination with anyone,” he added.
Despite the diplomatic tension, Wandeful described the prospect of talks between Trump and Putin as a positive development, noting that such discussions could pave the way for future peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
The European Commission also commented earlier this week, noting that Putin faces no EU travel ban, though the ICC warrant remains binding for member states that have ratified the court’s statute.
The proposed Trump–Putin summit in Budapest is expected to draw intense global scrutiny, as Western nations debate whether Hungary’s stance undermines international justice or represents a pragmatic step toward renewed dialogue.
