Brief Conversation Between Trump and Putin; White House Denies Separate Meeting in Vietnam

Despite reports that the Presidents of the United States and Russia briefly shook hands and exchanged a few words at a regional meeting in Vietnam, the White House announced on Friday that President Donald Trump will not have a separate meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin, however, insists that such a meeting will happen 'by any means.' Vietnam is hosting a two-day summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders starting Friday, November 10, where both U.S. and Russian leaders are present. Last Saturday, prior to Trump's Asian trip, Russian news agency RIA Novosti quoted Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesperson, stating that the U.S. and Russian presidents would likely meet on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Vietnam, with the resolution of the Syrian crisis as a topic of discussion. Trump himself mentioned the possibility of such a meeting in an interview with Fox News, emphasizing that 'Putin is very important because they can help us with North Korea. They can help us with Syria, and we need to talk about Ukraine as well.' During his trip to Japan, Trump reiterated this, telling reporters on his flight that 'I think it is expected that we will meet with Putin because we want his help on North Korea.' However, despite these reports, the White House spokesperson accompanying Trump on his Asian trip stated on Friday that 'there has never been a confirmation of a meeting with Putin, and due to scheduling conflicts on both sides, such a meeting will not take place.' In contrast, Dmitry Peskov confirmed that while everything regarding this meeting is not yet clear, relevant officials are continuing efforts to agree on a meeting. According to Reuters, Peskov said on Friday that Moscow has received mixed signals from Washington regarding a possible meeting between the two leaders but added that Vladimir Putin will meet with Donald Trump 'by any means.' Peskov also mentioned that when leaders were preparing for a group photo at the APEC summit, Trump approached Putin, and they had a brief conversation; the Associated Press also reported on their handshake. Relations between Moscow and Washington have been tense since months before Trump's administration began, following reports of possible Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election, which led the Obama administration to expel dozens of Russian diplomats. At that time, Moscow did not retaliate, but after the U.S. Senate considered new sanctions against Russia a few months ago, Moscow requested that the U.S. reduce hundreds of its personnel in Russia. Trump and Putin previously met in mid-July during the G20 summit in Germany, and later in late July, the White House confirmed that they had a second meeting during a G20 dinner.