Germany Says Hungary Should Have Arrested Putin On ICC Warrant

• 17.10.2025, 16:46

Hungary remains bound by its obligations to the International Criminal Court.

According to the German government, during a possible meeting between Russian ruler Putin and US leader Donald Trump, Hungary should adhere to the statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

This was reported by ntv citing a German Foreign Ministry spokesman, reports European Truth.

Although the government in Budapest has announced its withdrawal from the court's statute, this will not take effect until April next year, the spokesman said. Hungary thus remains obliged to execute an arrest warrant for Putin if the Russian president enters the country.

Whether there are exceptions in connection with possible peace talks between Trump and Putin, Hungary should find out in court, the spokesman added. The court's statute does not clearly state this.

Hungary earlier made it clear that Russian ruler Vladimir Putin may not fear arrest on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant when he arrives in Budapest for a summit with US President Donald Trump.

Hungary's withdrawal from the ICC will take effect one year after the UN secretary-general is notified. Hungary sent such a communication on June 2, 2025.

By then, Hungary remains bound by its obligations to the ICC, including the execution of arrest warrants.