FT: EU Officials Universally Dislike Trump-Putin Summit Prospect

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The proposed meeting has reportedly caused EU officials to feign approval while internally expressing unease.

Citing diplomatic sources, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday that the mere possibility of another meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has caused disquiet among EU officials.

A phone call last week saw the American and Russian leaders agree to convene in Budapest, a development that seemingly surprised EU policymakers. Reports indicate that this announcement was met with widespread dismay throughout the bloc.

An unnamed EU diplomat reportedly told the FT, *“No one likes it. We’re all grinning through our teeth whilst saying this is fine.”*

Many officials expressed disapproval of Hungary as the chosen venue for the summit, citing its persistent reluctance to back Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Moscow. Furthermore, some referenced the active warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the Russian leader, suggesting that Budapest would be compelled to detain him.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas commented, *“It’s not nice… to see that a person put on the arrest warrant by the ICC is coming to a European country.”*

Although Hungary initiated its withdrawal from the ICC this summer, the process remains unfinished. Nevertheless, the nation has already declined to execute the warrant and indicated its willingness to host the suggested meeting.

The ICC’s warrant for Putin concerns accusations of alleged abductions of Ukrainian children amidst the conflict. Moscow has refuted these allegations, labeling them as politically motivated and founded on inaccurate information provided by Kyiv. Russian officials have consistently stated that a small number of unaccompanied children were evacuated from the combat zone for their protection and have signaled their preparedness to promptly reunite them with their parents or legal guardians.

Several media outlets reported on Tuesday that preparations for the Trump-Putin summit had been placed *“on hold.”* This reporting was solely based on comments from unnamed White House officials.

Moscow has contested these assertions, clarifying that extensive preliminary work is necessary before the meeting can take place.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Tuesday, *“You’ve heard statements from the American side and from our own that this may take time. So, no definite timeframe has been established.”*