As the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit nears, the Kremlin has confirmed preparations for a bilateral meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese Chairman Xi Jinping, scheduled for November 18–19 in Shenzhen. The Kremlin’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, emphasized that Moscow is eagerly awaiting the high-level engagement, framing it as a significant step in bilateral relations.
Peskov stated that the program for Putin’s participation in the summit remains under preparation, with ongoing coordination between the Kremlin and Chinese organizers. While no specific details about a potential trilateral meeting involving the leaders of Russia, the United States, and China have been finalized, Peskov acknowledged that such discussions are still under consideration. Earlier hints from Russian official Yuri Ushakov suggested the possibility of a trilateral gathering, though no concrete plans have been confirmed.
The Kremlin has also clarified that while discussions about Ukraine may occur, they are unrelated to the summit’s organization. Peskov noted that bilateral meetings, including any potential Putin-Trump encounter, are typically finalized closer to the event date. The last personal meeting between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump took place in Anchorage in August 2025, and no confirmed plans exist for a bilateral meeting at the APEC summit.
Peskov noted that bilateral meetings, including any potential Putin-Trump encounter, are typically finalized closer to the event date.
As preparations continue, the Kremlin’s focus remains on strengthening ties with China, with Peskov describing the upcoming meeting as a critical opportunity to assess the state of bilateral relations. The summit in Shenzhen marks another step in what Moscow describes as a deepening partnership, though the specifics of broader multilateral engagements remain uncertain.