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Defying ICC, Hungary Wants to Follow Tajikistan and Mongolia in Opening Doors to Putin
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Hungary has joined Mongolia and Tajikistan in refusing to comply with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant for Russian leader Vladimir Putin, signaling it would not detain the Russian leader if he visits Budapest for a planned summit with US President Donald Trump.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó made this declaration during recent remarks, suggesting that Putin need not worry about potential arrest in Hungary.
“We are waiting for President Vladimir Putin with respect, of course. We will provide him with the opportunity to enter Hungary, conduct successful negotiations here, and then return home. No coordination with anyone is needed,” Szijjártó said on October 17.
He added that the date and details of the summit between Trump and Putin would be determined later, following consultations among officials from all three countries involved. Budapest, he said, is ready to “provide the proper conditions” for the talks, describing Hungary as “one of the safest countries in the world.”
In response to these statements, a spokesperson for the International Criminal Court underscored that countries which are party to the Rome Statute have a legal obligation to enforce the court’s decisions, according to La Stampa on October 17, citing an interview made by AGI (Italian Journalist Agency).
“The ICC relies on States for the enforcement of its decisions. This is not only a legal obligation towards the Court under the Rome Statute, but also a responsibility towards other States Parties,” the spokesperson ICC spokeperson said to the AGI.
The ICC further clarified that national governments do not have the authority to independently interpret the validity of the Court’s judicial decisions.
“When States have doubts about cooperation with the Court, they can consult it promptly and effectively. However, it is not up to States to unilaterally determine the validity of the Court’s judicial decisions. As Article 119 of the Statute establishes, ‘any dispute concerning the judicial functions of the Court shall be settled by the decision of the Court,’” the spokesperson added.
“In cases of non-cooperation, the Court may issue a ruling and inform the Assembly of States Parties so that it may take any measures it deems appropriate,” they concluded.
Earlier, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán revealed his intention to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid ongoing preparations for a possible summit between Putin and US President Donald Trump.
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