EU says it has not blocked Putin’s entry

Russian President Vladimir Putin may obtain permission from individual countries to fly through the airspace of European Union (EU) member states, BBC reports.

“We live in the real world,” EU European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill told reporters. “Meetings don’t always happen in the precise order or format that we would like them to, but if meetings… move us towards a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, then we should welcome them.”

To reach Hungary for his meeting with US President Donald Trump, Putin’s plane must cross the airspace of EU countries where the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against him is in effect.

According to Anitta Hipper, Lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Commission, sanctions against Putin do not include a travel ban.