Can Putin's 'Flying Kremlin' travel through EU airspace to Budapest?

Can Putin's 'Flying Kremlin' Travel Through EU Airspace to Budapest?

Russian President Vladimir Putin boards a plane following a US-Russia summit on Ukraine at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/POOL/AFP

For a high-profile meeting with Donald Trump scheduled to take place in Budapest within the next two weeks, Russian President Vladimir Putin may need permission from European Union countries to fly his modified Ilyushin Il-96 airliner over their airspace. Dubbed the "Flying Kremlin," this presidential plane boasts four engines and an arsenal of defense systems.

While Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 led to EU sanctions against its leader, a blanket ban on all Russian aircraft flying through the airspace of European Union countries remains in place. However, individual member states may provide derogations for specific flights. In this case, Putin would need Hungary and possibly other neighboring countries to grant permission for his plane to pass over their territory.

In order for him to play it safe, he could consider taking a circuitous route through Turkey, Greece, Montenegro, and Serbia before entering Hungarian airspace. However, even if this route is taken, Putin's aircraft will still need clearance from each country it passes over.

A meeting between Putin and Trump would be a significant event in recent months of escalating tensions with Russia, especially considering Hungary's close ties to both leaders. President Trump has expressed admiration for Hungary's strongman leader Viktor Orban, who is trailing in the polls before elections next spring.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated that his country will ensure Putin can enter Hungary safely and hold successful talks there before returning home. Orban has declared preparations are underway, with him having already spoken to Putin on the phone about the summit.

European leaders have other ideas when they see Orban at next week's EU meeting in Brussels; they will likely view his involvement as a challenge to their efforts to support Ukraine during this time of conflict.

I think it's pretty wild that Putin needs permission to fly through EU airspace. Like, isn't he the president of Russia? But I guess you have to follow the rules. It's interesting how Hungary is trying to play both sides though - they're friends with Trump and Orban, but also part of the EU. This could get messy if other EU countries find out...

i think its kinda weird that putin needs permission from europe just coz he flew into alaska last year like isnt airspace everywhere supposed 2 be equal? or is it just that europe gets all bent outta shape when russia does whats america doin in ukraine btw? seems to me like hungarys got the power here cuz they can grant permission or not, and thats kinda cool i guess but its also kinda suspicious if trump and putin are teaming up again, whatre the real motives behind this summit

so like, can u believe putin is planning to meet trump in budapest?! but omg, what if he tries to fly through eu airspace without permission? that's so reckless like, the eu wouldnt be happy about it at all... and hungary being his ally, its even more weird. they r supposed to support ukraine not russia but i guess thats politics and all that

so I don't get why EU countries can't just make an exception for Putin's plane , like it's a one-off thing or something? I mean, they do have to grant permission anyway, right? Why not just add him to the list of approved flights? It's not like he's exactly being a paragon of virtue over there in Russia . And what's with Hungary wanting to play both sides? They should at least be clear about which team they're on. This whole thing is just so... complicated . Can't we all just get along?

so like if putin and trump are gonna meet in budapest, that's already weird enough but then he's gotta get special permission from hungary and other eu countries just cuz he's flying on his super cool "flying kremlin" plane ‍ which is basically a fancy military jet. it's like, what even is the point of having a summit if you can't fly over eu airspace without asking first? and honestly, it's kinda suspicious that orban is being all supportive of putin when europe is trying to support ukraine right now... it feels like there's more to this meeting than meets the eye

[Image of a plane flying over the Hungarian flag with a thought bubble saying "just another day in Europe"] [GIF of Putin trying to fly over EU airspace while EU leaders are like "nope, not on my watch!"] ️

can you believe how expensive flights are nowadays? i mean, i just flew from LA to london and it was like, over 1000 dollars one way! i swear, if i had a pet elephant, that's how much they charge for a ticket anyway, back to putin's plane... what's up with those new engines he got? sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie and btw, have you guys tried that new coffee shop downtown? their cold brew is pretty meh, imo ️

I'm thinking that even though Hungary is gonna let Putin fly through, it's still not gonna be easy for him... I mean, the EU is like one big umbrella over there, and each country has its own interests and concerns. So, just because Hungary lets him pass through doesn't mean the other countries are gonna sit back and do nothing.

And let's be real, the whole thing with Ukraine and sanctions is still super tense... Putin's gotta navigate all that while trying to make a good impression on Trump. It's like he's walking into a room where everyone's got an axe ready for him, but he's still trying to hold hands and be friends.

I don't think it's gonna be that simple, you know? There's gonna be all sorts of behind-the-scenes maneuvering going on... The EU might just try to use Hungary as a pawn in their game against Putin. It's like chess, except the stakes are way higher than just some castle and pawns...

man, can we even talk about how messed up this whole situation is? like, putin's flying around with his 'flying kremlin' and europe is still dealing with the aftermath of russia's invasion... meanwhile, trump's trying to make deals with orban while europeans are over here stressing about supporting ukraine

and what's even more wild is that hungary's not taking sides, they just wanna let putin fly through their airspace... it's like, how can you separate politics from reality? isn't that just enabling some of the worst behavior? and don't even get me started on trump's admiration for orban... what a weird dynamic

anyway, back to the flying kremlin... it's wild to think about how security measures are in place for this thing, but at the same time, there's still so much uncertainty surrounding putin's movements ️

OMG what's up w/ these EU leaders ? Like, Putin needs permission 2 fly thru their airspace & they're all worried bout Trump getting in on the action ? Can't Hungary just chill & let the big boys negotiate? Meanwhile, we're over here like "where's the tea?" - The Hashtag Hero

honestly idk why eu countries are making such a big deal about putin flying through their airspace lol like isnt it just common sense to ask for clearance before entering someone elses air space? anyway dont think its gonna make a huge diff where he flies as long as hungary is cool with it. btw cant wait for this meeting between putin and trump, gotta see how that drama plays out...

I'm not sure how Hungary would handle this, but if Putin really wants to fly that fancy plane through EU airspace, I guess he'll need permission from the Hungarian government... ️ They might be too caught up in their own politics with Trump and Orban's buddy vibes to say no, though... It's also weird that Putin would even consider flying through Turkey or other countries just to avoid Hungary. Like, isn't Hungary a part of Europe? And what's the big deal about him having clearance from every country he passes over?

OMG I'm low-key fascinated by Putin's "Flying Kremlin" thing like, what's up with that plane tho? It's got four engines and defense systems? Sounds like something outta a movie! Anywayz, I think it's gonna be hella hard for him to get permission from all the EU countries to fly through their airspace. Hungary's already making it seem complicated but hey, if Orban's talking to Putin on the phone, maybe he'll just make it happen Can you even imagine Trump and Putin hanging out? That summit is gonna be WILD

so like if poutine is gonna fly into budapest and he needs permission from hungary and others ️ it's kinda weird considering the EU banned all russian planes but i guess individual countries can make exceptions orban has been talking to trump before so maybe it's not a big deal for him but what about other eu countries they might not be cool with poutine flying over their airspace

So like, can u imagine Putin flying over Europe with that crazy plane and no one checking if he's allowed? Hungary's already on board with him, but the EU is gonna freak out when they see Orban going soft on Russia again... I mean, isn't Hungary supposed to be all about being tough on Ukraine? And what's up with Trump wanting to meet with Putin again? Don't get me wrong, but hasn't that guy done enough damage already? The EU needs to keep its cool and not let Orban's friendship with Putin ruin everything...

Dude I'm low-key worried about what's goin' down with Putin's "Flying Kremlin" . Like, can't he just take the usual route like everyone else? Hungary's gonna let him through or something right? And Trump's all for it too, which is just wild considering how things are between Russia and Ukraine now .

But, I mean, EU countries gotta be careful 'cause this could be a big deal. They don't wanna give Putin an excuse to mess with Ukraine some more . So, maybe they'll just make Hungary do all the legwork and clear everything out for him . Ugh, it's just so complicated .

I guess we'll just have to wait 'n' see how this whole thing plays out . One thing's for sure though: it's gonna be a wild ride with Trump involved

so like, if putin is gonna fly into budapest with his super cool flying kremlin plane, he needs to check in with the eu first lol. i mean, they can't just let him wing it (no pun intended) through their airspace without permission . but, let's be real, who knows what kinda special treatment huongary will give him? and if trump is gonna be there too, this meeting is bound to get some serious attention . like, has hungary ever been the silent partner in all these international shenanigans? i'm low-key curious about how this whole thing plays out

The prospect of Putin's 'Flying Kremlin' traversing European airspace poses an intriguing conundrum . Considering the current geopolitical climate, it would be prudent for Hungary and its neighboring countries to exercise caution when granting permission for the modified Ilyushin Il-96 airliner to pass over their territory. A circuitous route through Turkey, Greece, Montenegro, and Serbia could potentially mitigate concerns, but ultimately, individual country clearance is still necessary ️. The implications of such a meeting between Putin and Trump are far-reaching, with European leaders likely viewing Hungary's involvement as a challenge to their unified stance on Ukraine .

I'm super skeptical about Putin flying his "Flying Kremlin" plane over EU airspace . I mean, we're talking about a dude who's already got a reputation for being pretty aggressive and unpredictable. And now he's trying to play nice with Trump in Budapest? It seems like a total publicity stunt to me .

And let's be real, Hungary is already in a tricky spot between Russia and the EU, so they might not want to give Putin a free pass . I think it's only going to fuel the drama and tension between East and West even more . Plus, what if something goes wrong on that flight? I'd hate to see some kind of mishap end up being a major distraction for both Russia and the EU at this sensitive time .