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Rubio discusses potential Trump-Putin summit at APEC with Lavrov

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov regarding a possible meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

LSN Malaysia · 1 November 2026

Rubio discusses potential Trump-Putin summit at APEC with Lavrov

Rubio's confirmation comes after Lavrov informed journalists that the two officials had conducted a constructive conversation about the potential bilateral engagement. The discussion signals ongoing diplomatic channels between Washington and Moscow despite heightened geopolitical tensions.

The possibility of a Trump-Putin meeting at APEC represents a significant diplomatic development, as such high-level engagements between the leaders of the United States and Russia remain rare given current international circumstances. The timing of the potential summit, should it materialise, could have broader implications for regional stability and bilateral relations.

Neither official has provided detailed specifics regarding the agenda or likelihood of such a meeting occurring. However, the fact that both sides have engaged in preliminary discussions through their foreign ministers suggests active exploration of diplomatic opportunities within the framework of the APEC gathering.

The APEC summit brings together leaders from major economies across the Asia-Pacific region, providing a traditional venue for bilateral negotiations and multilateral discussions on trade and regional cooperation. A Trump-Putin bilateral would be closely watched by regional governments and international observers monitoring U.S.-Russia relations.