EU foreign policy chief calls possible Putin visit to Hungary 'not nice'
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Brussels finds it unpleasant to see in a European capital a person subject to an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC), said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, as reported by Reuters.
Kallas noted that she welcomes Washington's efforts to achieve peace but emphasized the importance of a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Putin.
"America has a lot of strength to pressure Russia to come to the negotiation table, if they use that then, of course, this is good if Russia stops this war," Kallas said.
Arrest warrant for Putin and EU position
The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Putin over the abduction of Ukrainian children, while Hungary is currently in the process of withdrawing from the court.
"Regarding Budapest, no, it's not nice ... to see that really a person put to the arrest warrant by the ICC is coming to a European country," Kallas added. According to her, there remains the "question is whether there is any outcome" from such visits.
Lithuania: Putin's place is in The Hague
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys stated that there is no place for Putin in any European capital.
"The only place for Putin in Europe is in The Hague, in front of the tribunal, not in any of our capitals," he said before the start of the ministers’ meeting.
EU prepares new sanctions package against Russia
Kaja Kallas also stated that the European Union is preparing to adopt the 19th package of sanctions against Russia.
According to her, the final approval of the measures is expected within a week, but not on Monday.
US President Donald Trump announced that he plans to meet with Vladimir Putin in Budapest.
When asked who chose Budapest as the meeting location, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt snapped at a journalist, saying, "Your mom did."
