Russia says trilateral Putin-Trump-Xi meeting not ruled out, agenda must be defined first

Russia has not ruled out a trilateral meeting with United States and China presidents. Discussions on the meeting's agenda and expected outcomes are necessary first. Kremlin aide previously raised the possibility of this summit at an upcoming event. Organizing such a meeting depends on the summit hosts and diplomatic preparation. Bilateral meetings for President Putin are also planned during the summit.

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Sunday that Moscow has not ruled out a trilateral meeting between the presidents of Russia, the U.S. and China, state news agency TASS reported.

However, before moving on to the actual preparations, it is necessary to understand what the meeting's agenda would be, Ryabkov said.

"Here, the main question boils down to how the substance of the meeting will be formulated, and what we can expect as a result."

Earlier this month, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov raised the possibility of Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, in November.

On Sunday, Ushakov was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying that while such a meeting of Russian, U.S. and Chinese leaders "would not be without merit," its organisation was the prerogative of the summit's hosts.

"If they are able to organise such a meeting – and this requires a certain amount of diplomatic preparation – then I think it could take place," Ushakov said.

The Kremlin also plans to set up bilateral meetings for Putin during the summit, including one with Xi Jinping, and, "if the opportunity arises," a meeting with Trump, Ushakov said.