Bulgaria ready to open airspace for Putin if he flies to Budapest for possible Trump summit
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev said his country is prepared to open its airspace for Russian President Vladimir Putin
LUXEMBOURG CITY, Luxembourg (MNTV) – Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev said his country is prepared to open its airspace for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aircraft if he travels to Budapest for a potential meeting with US President Donald Trump.
Speaking to reporters at an EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg, Georgiev said logistical arrangements would only be discussed once the Trump-Putin meeting is officially confirmed.
“Let the date be announced first, and then we can talk about technical details. As far as I know, there is no confirmed date yet,” he said, according to Novinite news agency.
Georgiev emphasized that Bulgaria would not obstruct diplomatic efforts aimed at peace in Ukraine. “When efforts are made for peace, it is only logical that all sides contribute to making such a meeting possible,” he said. “How else could the meeting take place if one of the participants cannot get there?”
He also reaffirmed Bulgaria’s support for the European Union’s 19th sanctions package against Russia, which is expected to be adopted later this week. The package includes discussions on additional tariffs on Russian goods. Georgiev noted that while hopes for lasting peace remain, Russia continues to act with hostility.
Addressing the “shadow fleet” of Russian oil tankers in the Black Sea, he said: “Russian activity in this direction is significant. We are working with Romania and Türkiye through our mine clearance group, and all movements in this area are under increased surveillance.”
Last week, Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reach an agreement with Russia, saying both sides should stop fighting along current front lines. Zelenskyy later reiterated that Ukraine would not make any concessions to Moscow.
Putin and Trump discussed the possibility of a face-to-face meeting during a phone call on Thursday, agreeing that their teams would begin preparations, with Budapest emerging as a potential venue.
For Putin to travel to Hungary, he would likely need to cross European airspace, where an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for his arrest—issued in 2023 over alleged war crimes related to the deportation of Ukrainian children—remains active.
Hungary’s withdrawal from the ICC takes effect next June. Until then, it remains a member but has said it will not enforce the warrant against Putin.
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