Kremlin Confirms Putin Plans Beijing Visit, Trump Meeting Possible

The Kremlin has indicated that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump could occur if both leaders attend the commemorative events in Beijing this September marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. While Putin's attendance is confirmed, it remains uncertain whether Trump will visit China at the same time, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasizing that a meeting would be considered only if Trump is present. Chinese President Xi Jinping is reportedly planning a trilateral meeting with the two leaders during these events, though no official confirmation has been made. Trump has expressed willingness to meet Putin and has also suggested traveling to other venues, such as Türkiye, for talks related to the Ukraine conflict, but such meetings have yet to materialize. Despite ongoing communications between Putin and Trump since January, tensions remain, with Trump warning of new sanctions on Russia if progress toward peace in Ukraine is not achieved by early September. The possibility of a face-to-face meeting in Beijing is therefore contingent on Trump's attendance and mutual agreement on the meeting's timing and objectives.