The European Commission has expressed cautious support for a proposed meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, stressing that any dialogue that contributes to a fair and sustainable peace in Ukraine is welcome.

Olof Gill, a spokesperson for the Commission, stated: “Every meeting that promotes the process of restoring a just and lasting peace is welcome.” The Commission clarified that while the assets of President Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov remain frozen, there is currently no travel ban within the European Union preventing their attendance.

Anitta Hipper, the EU spokesperson for foreign policy, echoed this position, noting that although Putin and Lavrov are subject to asset freezes, they face no EU-imposed travel restrictions. “Technically, there is no obstacle to Putin traveling to Hungary,” she said.

Regarding Hungary’s role, the Commission emphasized that the country acts in its own interest, not on behalf of the EU. Despite an outstanding International Criminal Court arrest warrant for President Putin, Hungary remains legally bound to enforce it until its official withdrawal from the court next year. The EU noted that individual member states retain discretion in such decisions.

On issues like the ban on Russian flights in European airspace, Hungary may request exceptions for overflights, a matter entirely under national jurisdiction. The European Commission reaffirmed its stance that meetings advancing a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine should be positively received, regardless of the circumstances or participants’ legal and diplomatic complexities.