The Kremlin has expressed readiness to explore the possibility of talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump if Trump decides to attend commemorative events in Beijing this September, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.
Beijing is preparing to host a large military parade on September 3 to mark the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II. President Putin has already confirmed his participation in the event.
There has been growing speculation about a potential meeting involving Putin, Trump, and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the visit. Kyodo News from Japan reported that Trump may be invited by the Chinese government, while The Times suggested China is positioning itself to host a three-way summit. Chinese authorities have not officially commented on these reports.
“If Trump is present at the event, then of course, the idea of organizing a meeting could be brought up,” Peskov stated. He also added that there has been no official word on whether Trump will be traveling to the Chinese capital.
Just a day earlier, Peskov noted that a future meeting between Putin and Trump is expected eventually, but it would require careful planning and that the conditions are not yet right.
The renewed interest in a potential meeting follows a phone conversation between Trump and Xi in June, during which Trump mentioned receiving an invitation to visit China, though no exact timeframe was confirmed.
Putin and Trump have spoken by phone multiple times in recent months, focusing on diplomatic efforts to address the Ukraine crisis. Trump has recently criticized Putin for allegedly being unwilling to compromise. The Kremlin responded by saying it remains calm in the face of such remarks and is committed to keeping communication channels with the U.S. open.
China has continued to emphasize its role as a neutral actor in the Ukraine conflict. Foreign Minister Wang Yi has advocated for a just and lasting peace agreement and has encouraged all parties to prioritize a ceasefire and political negotiations. Beijing has also voiced support for direct talks between Russia and Ukraine.
The most recent in-person meeting between Putin and Trump took place in 2018 during a summit in Helsinki, Finland.
