A prominent voice within Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is escalating calls for severe repercussions against Hungary should its government fail to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin upon his potential entry into the country. Roderich Kiesewetter, the CDU’s spokesperson for foreign affairs, warned in an interview with the Handelsblatt that failing to apprehend Putin, who is subject to an international arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, would constitute “a maximum breach with EU security interests, values and the rules-based order”. He argued that such a failure necessitates “massive sanctions against Hungary” potentially including suspension from the European Union.
The controversy stems from US President Donald Trump’s announcement of plans to meet with Putin in Budapest in the coming weeks, ostensibly to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine. Hungary’s Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, has publicly committed to extending a respectful welcome to the Russian leader. While Hungary formally withdrew from the ICC earlier this year, the country remains obligated to cooperate with the court for a twelve-month period.
The planned summit has drawn sharp condemnation within the European Parliament. Moritz Körner, a member of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), characterized the event as a gathering of “three EU haters” in Budapest, adding criticism of Hungary’s long-standing accommodation of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Daniel Freund, a Green Party MEP, echoed this sentiment, accusing Orbán of hypocrisy – presenting himself as a peacemaker while simultaneously obstructing EU sanctions against Russia and hindering support for Ukraine. Freund further highlighted Hungary’s continued purchase of Russian gas and oil, which he claims “enables Putin to continue the war.
Kiesewetter emphasized that the planned meeting directly contradicts “core European interests” and must be actively prevented. He leveled criticism at Trump, accusing him of demonstrating indifference to international order, the EU and Ukraine, driven by a seemingly relentless pursuit of a peace agreement that he believes would function as a capitulation and dictate terms for Europe, potentially leading to conflict escalation. The escalating rhetoric underscores growing tensions within the EU regarding Hungary’s relationship with Russia and the potential erosion of the bloc’s united front against Moscow’s aggression.