Moscow: Idea of Trilateral Summit Between Russia, US, and China on the Margins of APEC Accepted by All Three Countries

Moscow, October 31 (KUNA) -- Moscow confirmed on Saturday that the idea of holding a trilateral summit between the leaders of Russia, the United States, and China on the sidelines of the APEC forum, scheduled to be held in the Chinese city of Shenzhen next November, has been accepted by the capitals of the three countries. The Russian Foreign Ministry, in a statement, quoted Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, responding to media questions after the meeting of the foreign ministers of the Group of Twenty (G20) held in Atlanta, United States, saying that “organizational arrangements are the responsibility of China as the host country.” Lavrov stated that differences between Moscow and Washington do not prevent the continuation of dialogue, noting that while the national interests of the two countries may diverge on many issues, their alignment on certain matters creates opportunities for joint projects that serve the interests of both sides. He affirmed that his country does not impose restrictions on selling its energy resources to other countries, considering how the United States handles Russian fuel imports as a matter for Washington to address. He also warned against exaggerating the significance of some limited trade deals as an indicator of a thaw in the sanctions file. Regarding preparations for negotiations on the Ukrainian crisis in Abu Dhabi, Lavrov clarified that the Russian delegation tasked with participating was formed by a decision of President Vladimir Putin, and that the deadlines for the meetings will be announced after the necessary arrangements are completed. He added that Russia’s position on the Ukrainian crisis has not changed, reaffirming Moscow’s adherence to what it describes as its security considerations and its demands regarding the status of Russian speakers in Ukraine. On the possibility of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the ministry quoted Lavrov as saying that Putin has repeatedly expressed his readiness to meet with Zelenskyy and invited him to visit Moscow for talks, emphasizing the Russian side’s willingness to ensure his safety during the visit. On another note, Lavrov renewed his country’s support for dialogue within the G20, focusing on economic issues of common interest away from “politicization,” stressing the need to balance the interests of countries in addressing energy, food security, and supply chain issues. The ministry quoted Lavrov welcoming the US presidency’s approach to “depoliticizing discussions and focusing on agreed agenda items,” noting that discussions covered the impact of geopolitical factors on economic operations, alongside energy, food, and supply chain issues. He added that preparations for the upcoming G20 summit, scheduled to be held in Miami, United States, in December next year, require working toward consensus on final documents amid diverging interests among participating countries, particularly in the fields of energy and food security. (End) Dan / T.M.A