Due to current EU sanctions and flight restrictions for Russian aircraft following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian government aircraft, including the presidential Il-96, are not allowed to fly over most European countries, the article says. This means that Putin’s route to Hungary must bypass almost all EU member states, even if Hungary itself is part of the bloc, the publication recalls.
The detour route can be approximately 5 km, which will increase the flight duration by about three hours compared to the direct route of 1.5 thousand km, the author of the article writes. In his opinion, although the Russian presidential plane is capable of covering long distances, such a flight will require careful coordination with air traffic control services in Turkey and Serbia, as well as backup plans in case of weather or diplomatic complications.
Security experts say flying over the Black Sea remains risky due to military activity in the region.
This is not the first time that Putin or other Russian officials have had to find alternative routes to attend international summits, Air Live notes. Following the introduction of Western airspace restrictions in 2022, Russian diplomatic flights often fly through Central Asia, the Middle East or the Balkans to reach places that previously could have been reached within a few hours, the journalist noted. For example, in June 2023, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov flew to the BRICS meeting in South Africa, flying through Iran and North Africa.
Putin's trip to Budapest highlights how Russia's geopolitical isolation affects even the logistics of diplomacy, the media notes.
So far, the official flight plan has not been made public, but the Turkish-Serbian corridor seems to be the most practical route by which the head of the Kremlin can reach Hungary, the media notes.
Putin's plane to Budapest will be escorted by Turkish and Russian fighter jets
Due to ongoing EU sanctions and airspace restrictions, the Russian state airport is banned from flying over most of Europe.
A great trip for Putin's summer to Budapest travels through Black… pic.twitter.com/z3z6hMLbdK
— Visegrad 24 (@visegrad24) October 18, 2025
Context
On October 16, the Russian Federation initiated a conversation between Putin and Trump, the Kremlin reported. They, in particular, discussed “the issue of possible supplies of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine.” Afterwards, Trump noted that he intended to hold a meeting with the illegitimate Russian president in Hungary.
On the same day, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said that Moscow was rushing to resume dialogue only after hearing about Tomahawk.
On October 17, Axios wrote that Zelensky’s team was surprised by Trump’s statement about preparations for a meeting with Putin in “the least friendly EU country to Ukraine,” Hungary.
Bloomberg suggested that the summit in Budapest threatens to weaken pressure on the Russian Federation and undermine Ukraine's efforts.
On the same day, a representative of the German Foreign Ministry said that during a likely meeting between Putin and Trump, Hungary should comply with the statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and arrest the head of the Kremlin.
Foreign policy spokeswoman Anita Hipper noted that European Union sanctions do not prohibit Putin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other officials from visiting EU countries.
Sky News noted that Putin is preparing to set foot on the territory of the European Union and is “already smiling.”
GORDON examined several versions of how the head of the Kremlin will get to the place of negotiations.
