European Commission spokesman Olof Gill stated on Friday that if the planned meeting next week between US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Budapest occurs and contributes to peace in Ukraine, it will be welcomed. According to the EC, Putin is permitted to travel within the EU.
Trump announced on Thursday that he intends to meet with Putin in Hungary. If realized, it would mark the first visit by the Russian leader to EU territory since Russia initiated its war against Ukraine in 2022.
Gill noted, “EC President Ursula von der Leyen welcomes any actions that lead to a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine. If the proposed meeting (…) serves this goal, we will embrace it.”
He further emphasized that “The EU is taking all possible measures to support Ukraine and diminish Russia’s capacity to continue the war.” Gill reminded that the EC has put forward the 19th sanctions package against Russia, aiming to pressure the country and motivate it to engage in discussions. He stated, “Thus, if the proposed meeting takes place next week and contributes to this goal, we would view it as a positive development.”
While both Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are included on the EU sanctions list, EC foreign affairs spokesperson Anitta Hipper clarified that the sanctions entail asset freezes but do not impose a travel ban within the EU. She mentioned that although their arrival in the EU remains hypothetical, it is permissible under EU law.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, EU airspace was closed to Russian airlines. However, Hipper indicated that member states can make exemptions regarding the flight ban for Russian aircraft, which are issued individually by the capitals.
Gill refrained from addressing inquiries about how arranging such a summit by Hungary would impact Budapest’s relations with other EU nations, labeling questions about the potential attendance of the EC President at the meeting, if invited, as “strongly hypothetical.” (17.10.2025)
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