Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump, and Chinese President Xi Jinping may meet at the APEC summit in November, according to Interfax.

Potential trilateral meeting at APEC

The reported possibility of a meeting between the three leaders at APEC marks a notable diplomatic development. Lavrov's statement, as cited by Interfax, suggests the prospect of direct engagement among the heads of state of Russia, the United States, and China on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

Context of the reported statement

The statement was attributed to Lavrov by the Interfax news agency. No further details regarding the agenda, format, or confirmed schedule of any such meeting were provided in the source material.

The Third APEC Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM3) and related sessions concluded in Dalian, Liaoning province, from August 17 to 28, 2026. The gathering brought together over 2,300 Chinese and international delegates for nearly 130 thematic meetings and activities.

The event aims to advance cooperation across sectors and mechanisms under the APEC framework. Officials stated the meetings lay the groundwork for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting scheduled for November in Shenzhen.

Scale and Organization

According to the Publicity Department of the CPC Dalian Municipal Committee, this year's SOM3 features the largest number of participants and most events among all Senior Officials' Meetings to date. Dalian joins Guangzhou and Shanghai as major Chinese cities to host this specific tier of APEC gatherings.

To ensure high standards, Dalian assembled a task force headed by leading officials of the municipal Party committee and government. The city established fifteen dedicated working groups under an integrated "1+24" work-plan framework. This structure was designed to provide meticulous preparations and all-round services.

Strategic Engagement

Beyond the formal agenda, Dalian rolled out collaborative scenarios focusing on business networking, city branding, and production-capacity pairing. The city curated itineraries for delegates and media to view achievements in neighborhood preservation and the development of new quality productive forces.

Side events highlighted Dalian's competitive industries and premium products. These activities aimed to underscore the industrial vitality of the coastal city and present the "Dalian story" to a global audience.

Reception

Attending guests praised Dalian's cityscapes, conference-hosting capabilities, and climate conditions in interviews. Observers noted the professional and efficient event organization, alongside the city's pleasant climate and distinctive coastal character.