Moscow Does Not Rule Out Trilateral Meeting of Russian, U.S. and Chinese Leaders

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Sunday that Moscow has not ruled out holding a trilateral meeting between the presidents of Russia, the United States and China, according to state news agency TASS.

Ryabkov said that before any practical preparations can begin, it must first be clear what the agenda of such a meeting would be. He noted that the key question is how the substance of the meeting would be framed and what outcomes could realistically be expected.

Possible Meeting in Shenzhen

Earlier this month, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov had already floated the idea of a meeting between Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, suggesting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, this November as a possible venue.

On Sunday, Ushakov reiterated, as quoted by Russian news agencies, that such a meeting of the three leaders "would not be without merit," but stressed that organizing it is up to the summit's hosts. He added that if the hosts manage to arrange it — which requires a degree of diplomatic groundwork — he believes it could take place.

At the same time, the Kremlin is planning bilateral meetings for Putin during the summit, including with Xi Jinping, and, should the opportunity arise, with Trump as well, Ushakov said.