Russian President Vladimir Putin’s potential flight to Budapest raises significant questions about navigating EU airspace. The current geopolitical climate complicates access due to strained relations between Russia and several countries in the region.
Understanding the Flight Route
Ukraine remains a non-option for Putin, and Poland’s icy relations with Moscow further limit his choices. A more feasible route appears to be through the eastern Black Sea coast and Turkey, then via Bulgaria or Romania before entering Hungary.
Key Route Options
- Eastern Black Sea and Turkey: This route bypasses hostile territories.
- Bulgaria or Romania: These countries must provide permission to enter their airspace.
- Serbia: President Aleksandar Vucic has established relations with Putin, making it a likely stop. Air Serbia also operates flights over EU airspace to Moscow.
EU Airspace Permissions
For Putin’s flight to proceed, Bulgaria or Romania must consent. Romania is also home to a developing NATO base, which could affect airspace clearance. A spokesperson from the Romanian government confirmed that they have not yet received any formal request from Russia for overflight permission.
Bulgaria’s foreign ministry has also not commented on this issue, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding Putin’s travel plans.
Alternative Flight Path
If security becomes a priority, Putin might opt for a longer and more circuitous route. This could involve traveling south of Greece and through Montenegrin airspace prior to reaching Serbia.
As tensions continue to shape international relations, Putin’s ability to navigate EU airspace effectively remains unclear.
