The Hungarian government announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be arrested during a potential visit to Budapest under the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. This was stated by Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó.
According to Szijjártó, Hungary is ready to welcome Putin and ensure a peaceful and secure environment for negotiations. “We will receive Vladimir Putin here and make sure he holds successful talks and returns home safely,” he said in a statement to journalists.
The minister added that Hungary is prepared to provide all necessary conditions for the meeting between the presidents of Russia and the United States in Budapest. “We do not need to consult with anyone. Hungary is a sovereign state,” he emphasized.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on October 16 that he intends to meet with the Russian president in Budapest, though the exact date has not yet been determined.
Hungary signed the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, in 1999 and ratified it two years later. However, in 2023, the authorities declared that they would not arrest Putin if he visits the country.
In 2025, the Hungarian government also invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is likewise under an ICC warrant. Following that announcement, Hungary declared its intention to withdraw from the ICC, although the process has not yet been completed.
Putin’s recent foreign visits have also gone ahead freely despite the ICC warrant. He visited Mongolia in September 2024 and Tajikistan in October 2025 — both countries are parties to the Rome Statute, yet no arrest took place.
Experts note that Hungary’s position is a political step aimed at maintaining balance between the West and Russia. Despite being a member of the EU, the country is unwilling to sever dialogue with Moscow.
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