- By Shivangi Sharma
- Tue, 21 Oct 2025 07:13 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Poland has issued a sharp warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him not to cross its airspace en route to a planned summit withUS President Donald Trump in Hungary. The warning comes amid concerns over the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Putin, which obligates member states to detain him if he enters their territory.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told Radio Rodzina that Warsaw could not rule out an independent Polish court ordering Putin’s aircraft to be intercepted and the Russian leader handed over to The Hague. “I cannot guarantee that an independent Polish court won’t order the government to escort such an aircraft down to hand the suspect to the court in The Hague,” Sikorski said. He added that, if the summit is to take place, “hopefully with the participation of the victim of the aggression, the aircraft will use a different route.”
Kremlin Response And Summit Uncertainty
The Kremlin stated on Tuesday that the timing of a potential Trump-Putin summit remains unclear, and no official dates have been set. Earlier, CNN reported that a preparatory meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had been put on hold, though the Kremlin denied any postponement.
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Budapest, where Trump said he and Putin had agreed to meet, has promised safe passage for the Russian president despite the ICC warrant. Hungary has also announced plans to withdraw from the ICC as of June 2, 2026, raising legal and diplomatic concerns.
Poland Criticises Hungary’s Invitation
Sikorski described Hungary’s invitation to Putin as “distasteful,” arguing it positions Budapest “not part of the West but between the West and Russia.” He also called for Ukraine’s participation in the summit, emphasising Poland’s strong support for Kyiv.
The ICC arrest warrant adds a legal dimension to summit planning. Discussions about whether Putin could be arrested abroad “naturally displease the Kremlin,” a source close to the Russian presidential administration told The Moscow Times. With all EU members, including Poland, having banned Russian aircraft from their airspace since 2022, logistical challenges remain significant. Sikorski stressed that the Kremlin is likely aware of Poland’s obligations and will need to chart an alternative route to Hungary.