13:05 18-10-2025

EU Calls Planned Putin–Trump Summit a «Political Nightmare»

EU officials privately describe the planned Putin–Trump summit in Budapest as a «political nightmare,» fearing it could unsettle NATO and expose divisions over Russia.

The prospect of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U. S. President Donald Trump in Budapest has triggered deep concern within the institutions of the European Union, where the event is already being described as a «political nightmare.» This was reported by the Spanish newspaper El País, citing a source in Brussels.

According to the publication, EU representatives publicly claim that such talks could prove useful if they lead to real progress in resolving global issues. Yet behind closed doors, many European diplomats and officials reportedly express alarm, characterizing the planned summit as a scenario that could undermine the unity of Western allies.

El País notes that the possible meeting between Putin and Trump places other European leaders — as well as the leadership of the EU and NATO — in an uncomfortable position. The report highlights that the very prospect of negotiations exposes ongoing divisions within Europe over how to approach relations with Russia.

On October 16, Putin and Trump held their eighth phone conversation since the beginning of the year. The call, which lasted about two and a half hours, concluded with a decision to begin preparations for a new face-to-face meeting. Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said that the idea to hold the summit in Budapest came from the American president, and that Putin supported the proposal.

Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that he had already instructed the creation of an organizing committee to prepare for the forthcoming summit in the Hungarian capital.

European observers point out that, while the potential dialogue between Moscow and Washington could theoretically ease global tensions, it also underscores growing anxiety in Brussels — where many fear that direct diplomacy between Putin and Trump could reshape established geopolitical dynamics.