MOSCOW, Sept 1 - A senior Kremlin aide said on Tuesday that a three-way meeting involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping may take place at the next summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.
Speaking in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Yuri Ushakov said the prospect of the trilateral encounter had been raised. "This issue was discussed, yes," he told state television when asked about the possibility of the three leaders meeting together during the APEC gathering.
Ushakov added that all three heads of state were expected to attend the forthcoming summit. He described the situation about a potential meeting in conditional terms, saying: "And if it turns out as has been said, then the three of them will be able to have a meeting."
The Kremlin aide made his remarks from Bishkek, where Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi had participated in a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the possibility of a trilateral session involving the leaders of Russia, China and the United States.
Context and implications
The comments from Yuri Ushakov confirm that discussions about a three-party engagement have taken place within Kremlin channels and that the prospect remains conditional. The phrasing used by Ushakov underscores that, while attendance at the APEC summit by the three leaders is anticipated, arrangements for a trilateral meeting have not been finalized and remain contingent on developments closer to the summit.
What was said
- Ushakov affirmed that the idea of a trilateral meeting had been discussed.
- He noted all three leaders were expected to attend the APEC summit.
- He indicated the meeting would take place only if circumstances allow, using conditional language.
On-the-record limitations
The White House had not provided an immediate reaction to inquiries about the trilateral meeting, leaving confirmation from the U.S. side outstanding at the time of Ushakov's remarks.