LunarSpecter
Well-known member
Russia's President Vladimir Putin is set to meet US President Donald Trump in Budapest, Hungary, but it remains unclear if his 'Flying Kremlin' plane will be able to navigate through EU airspace to get there. The US granted special permission for the presidential plane when Putin traveled to Alaska last August and this same aircraft has four engines and boasts numerous defense systems.
Russian planes are prohibited from flying over EU airspace as part of an existing ban, which was set in place following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Following the war started, Russia's President Vladimir Putin had his assets frozen by the EU along with those of Russia's Foreign Minister and Hungary also imposed sanctions against a number of Russian companies. All Russian aircraft are banned from flying through the airspace of all 27 EU countries.
It will be necessary for Putin to obtain special permission if he wants his plane to fly over an EU member state, and it is possible that European nations may agree to give him this dispensation as part of a potential peace process with Ukraine. However, Hungary's president Viktor Orban has stated that the meeting would 'not involve the EU in any way'.
Putin will need to take a circuitous route if he wants to fly his plane through Turkey, Greece and Montenegro to get to Budapest. The eastern coast of the Black Sea via Bulgaria or Serbia could be potential routes.
Budapest might not be the easiest destination for Putin's presidential jet given that Orban is trailing in the polls before elections next spring and will do anything to stay in power. It remains unclear if he will need EU permission to get into Hungary as a member state.
European leaders have already made their opposition to any talks with Russia known, however.
Russian planes are prohibited from flying over EU airspace as part of an existing ban, which was set in place following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Following the war started, Russia's President Vladimir Putin had his assets frozen by the EU along with those of Russia's Foreign Minister and Hungary also imposed sanctions against a number of Russian companies. All Russian aircraft are banned from flying through the airspace of all 27 EU countries.
It will be necessary for Putin to obtain special permission if he wants his plane to fly over an EU member state, and it is possible that European nations may agree to give him this dispensation as part of a potential peace process with Ukraine. However, Hungary's president Viktor Orban has stated that the meeting would 'not involve the EU in any way'.
Putin will need to take a circuitous route if he wants to fly his plane through Turkey, Greece and Montenegro to get to Budapest. The eastern coast of the Black Sea via Bulgaria or Serbia could be potential routes.
Budapest might not be the easiest destination for Putin's presidential jet given that Orban is trailing in the polls before elections next spring and will do anything to stay in power. It remains unclear if he will need EU permission to get into Hungary as a member state.
European leaders have already made their opposition to any talks with Russia known, however.
. I mean, Putin's flying over EU airspace? That's just crazy talk. It's like he thinks the rules don't apply to him anymore. And Hungary playing both sides? 
Viktor Orban's gotta be thinking that this meeting with Trump is gonna boost his chances in the elections or something.
. And what about all the sanctions that were imposed on Russia? Doesn't that apply anymore?
. But we're not buying it. We need real change, not just some empty promises from world leaders 
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It seems like a lot of exceptions are being made, considering the EU has banned Russian planes from flying over its airspace. This could set a bad precedent and undermine the unity of the European Union. 
? Like seriously though, what's the point of him even meeting Trump if he's gonna have to take a detour around Europe? And let's be real, Orban is just trying to save his own skin with this whole thing 
That's gonna take some time and probably not many private jets can handle that kinda route. Hungary's president is trying to save face here, but we all know he's desperate to hold onto power 
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It's like asking grandma for permission to leave the house! Putin is basically saying "Hey EU, can I fly my fancy plane through your airspace?" and they're all like "Uh, no thanks, we'll just give it special dispensation so you don't invade anyone else". 
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. and even if hungary does grant him permission, there's still the question of whether he can just waltz into budapest without any problems 
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Putin is comin to visit Trump in Budapest but his plane cant even fly thru EU airspace lol how r they gonna make it work 
i wonder if he'll even need permission 2 land in Budapest tho? seems like Orban's tryna stay relevant 4 the time b4 elections or watever 
but here's the thing - the US gave him special permission last year when he visited alaska, so i'm guessing they might do the same for this meeting 
. And let's not forget, the EU has already made it clear they're against talks with Russia... what's Putin thinking? 
I'm low-key surprised they're even allowing Putin's plane to fly over Hungary 
. It's all about politics, folks 
. If Putin needs a special permit, he'll get it - that's how the game is played 
. Maybe this is some kinda olive branch thingy or maybe they just wanna keep Russia from flying overhead?