Hungary vows Putin honored guest treatment for Trump talks despite legal duty to arrest him

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Hungary announced its willingness to facilitate a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Budapest indicated it will not enforce the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) outstanding arrest warrant against the Russian leader.

Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó wrote on Facebook that his country would position itself as an “island of peace” for the summit.

The country would “provide all the conditions for the presidents to hold fruitful negotiations with each other,” he said, adding that such talks could return peace to Europe.

Szijjártó confirmed Budapest would ensure Putin’s entry into the country, the conduct of negotiations, and his departure. He described Hungary as one of the world’s most secure locations for such a gathering and said the country would receive Putin respectfully as a guest, citing Hungary’s sovereignty.

However, this stance violates Hungary’s international obligations. Hungary ratified the Rome Statute in 2001, legally binding it to comply with ICC decisions. 

The court issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March 2023 on suspicion of illegal transfer and deportation of children from occupied Ukrainian territories to Russia.

The warrant hasn’t stopped Putin’s travel. Earlier this month, he visited Tajikistan and received full honors. Last year, he traveled to Mongolia. Both countries ratified the Rome Statute. Neither arrested him.

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