Bulgaria Opens Airspace for Possible Meeting Between Putin and Trump in Budapest
In a surprising turn of international diplomacy, Bulgaria has expressed readiness to grant permission for the flight of Russian leader Vladimir Putin through its airspace, should there be a planned meeting with US President Donald Trump in Budapest.
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georgette Georgiev stated in an interview with the local radio station BNR that if such a meeting between US and Russian leaders is deemed crucial to achieving peace in Ukraine, then all possible measures should be taken to facilitate it.
When asked whether Russia would be granted a flight corridor for Putin’s aircraft, Georgiev replied, ‘How else are we to conduct the meeting if one of the participants cannot arrive?’ Meanwhile, sources suggest that negotiations for meetings between Lavrov and Rubio could take place as early as this Thursday, indicating active diplomatic efforts.
Previously, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis emphasized that war criminals have no place in European capitals and called for Russian President Vladimir Putin to face trial at The Hague.
The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, also expressed concern over the potential visit of Putin to Hungary, describing it as ‘unpleasant’ and highlighting that dealing with a person under an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court is a problematic development in European politics.
German Foreign Ministry officials reaffirmed the importance of Hungary adhering to the ICC statute if plans for the summit proceed.
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump, who recently held a two-hour phone call with Putin, announced plans to meet with the Russian leader in Budapest within the next two weeks.
Trump explained that Hungary was chosen for the summit due to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s leadership qualities and the lack of many issues present in other countries.
Preparations for the Budapest summit are now in full swing, with all involved parties actively working towards what is poised to become a significant diplomatic event.