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The US Secret Service has allegedly initiated logistical and security assessments in Budapest, signalling that the site is being seriously considered.
Budapest’s appeal for the summit extends beyond diplomacy (AP File)
Following individual meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump has now “begun preparations” for a trilateral summit aimed at negotiating an end to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. According to a report by Politico, which cited a source close to the White House, several venues are under consideration, with Hungary’s capital, Budapest, emerging as the leading candidate.
The US Secret Service has allegedly initiated logistical and security assessments in Budapest, signalling that the site is being seriously considered. Hungary’s potential role as host is notable, given Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s longstanding alliance with Trump, dating back to his first presidential term. Orbán has also maintained cordial ties with the Kremlin, often diverging from broader EU policies on Russia, further positioning Hungary as a favourable location for Moscow.
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Budapest’s appeal for the summit extends beyond diplomacy. According to an APT report, Hungary’s recent withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in March 2025 provides Russian President Vladimir Putin with a key advantage, i.e., immunity from arrest under the ICC’s warrant. The ICC issued an arrest order for Putin in March 2023, holding him responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children during the conflict. While ICC member states are legally obligated to detain individuals under indictment if they enter their territory, Hungary’s withdrawal offers a legal loophole, ensuring Putin’s protection.
Despite the momentum building around Budapest, neither Trump nor Zelenskyy confirmed the date or venue for the summit during their meeting at the White House earlier this week. Alternate proposals have also been floated. During a recent meeting in Alaska, Putin proposed Moscow as a potential venue, while French President Emmanuel Macron advocated for Geneva, suggesting Switzerland’s historical neutrality made it a suitable host. Switzerland has even offered diplomatic immunity to Putin for the purpose of peace talks, signalling its openness to facilitate negotiations.
However, Budapest may be a politically sensitive choice for Ukraine. The city evokes painful memories of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, under which the US, UK, and Russia guaranteed Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in exchange for giving up its nuclear arsenal. That agreement lost credibility when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, with signatories failing to provide military support to Ukraine in response.
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Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
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