Bulgaria Ready To Open Its Airspace To Putin Ahead Of Meeting With Trump
JAKARTA - Bulgaria is ready to open its airspace to Russian President Vladimir Putin's plane if he decides to fly to the Hungarian capital, Budapest, to meet with US President Donald Trump, said Secretary of State GeorgELev.
Speaking to reporters at a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg, Foreign Minister haphazardv stressed that new logistics arrangements would be discussed after the Trump-Putin meeting was officially scheduled.
"Let the date be announced first, then we can discuss the technical details. As far as I know, no date has been confirmed yet," he said, according to the Novinite news agency, quoted from Anadolu Oct. 21.
He further stressed that Sofia would not hinder any diplomatic initiatives aimed at achieving peace in Ukraine.
"When peace efforts are made, it is only natural for all parties to contribute to realizing such meetings," he explained.
"How else can the meeting take place if one of the participants cannot attend?" he said.
On the other hand, Foreign Ministerqev also reiterated Bulgaria's support for the European Union's 19th sanction package against Russia, which is expected to be adopted this weekend, including discussions on additional rates for Russian goods.
He noted, although there is still hope for sustainable peace in Ukraine, Russia continues to show hostility.
It is known that President Trump and President Putin agreed to a meeting in Budapest after making a phone call on Thursday last week.
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In order for President Putin to go to Budapest, he may have to cross Ukrainian airspace or other European territories. In the region, an arrest warrant issued in 2023 by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on suspicion of war crimes related to deportation and the illegal transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia is still in effect.
Hungary's exit from the ICC will take effect next June, meaning the country remains a member until then. However, Hungary said it would not impose the warrant for President Putin.