On the sidelines of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in China, diplomatic contacts between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump are being planned. According to Russian officials, the parties are coordinating a bilateral meeting where a key topic may be the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. Information about intensified contacts emerged following meetings between representatives of the Russian side and envoys of the US President.
Negotiation Agenda: Perspectives of the Parties
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed on November 11 that negotiations are being conducted through diplomatic channels to organize the meeting in China. According to the Russian side, the main point of discussion is intended to be the end of the war in Ukraine. The matter of high-level contacts is also being discussed in the context of potential meetings involving Chinese President Xi Jinping, with protocol and agenda preparations underway for several weeks.
Differences in Approaches to the Meeting Format
Against the backdrop of the event's preparation, disagreements have arisen regarding the substance of the dialogue. While the Russian side emphasizes the topic of Ukraine, several international outlets, including the South China Morning Post, report other priorities. According to sources, the trilateral format agenda could include issues of artificial intelligence usage in nuclear command and control, whereas the Ukraine topic is proposed to be discussed in other bilateral formats.
Diplomatic Complexities and Preparation Status
The current negotiation process faces organizational difficulties. The US and China currently lack a unified position on the format of the future meeting, which creates risks of its derailment or restructuring. Beijing, according to media reports, insists on separating the topics: discussing Ukraine should happen between Moscow and Washington directly, and nuclear security issues require a broader consensus, which China has previously avoided.
Prospects for Dialogue within APEC
The APEC summit in China, scheduled for the coming days, is viewed as an important platform for global geopolitical shifts. The future of international security in the near term will depend on whether the parties can agree on the protocol and agenda. Leaders are expected to clarify their positions on arms control and regional conflicts, although persistent disagreements between Beijing and Washington continue to complicate the preparation of the meeting's final protocol.
