Trump leaves APEC Summit reception without talking to Putin
US President Donald Trump left early from an official reception in honor of the APEC Summit leaders, and did not speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin, RIA Novosti reported.
Before his departure, Trump was photographed with leaders of other countries. Putin and Trump communicated with the closest neighbors at the table; they did not talk to one another, said the agency.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that Putin and Trump were not scheduled to meet during the summit, reports CNN. According to Sanders, who is an official representative of the Trump Administration, the White House allowed that the two leaders could meet informally during the Summit.
"They’re going to be in the same place. Are they going to bump into each other and say hello? Certainly possible and likely," she said.
It was previously reported that Putin and Trump had greeted each other at the APEC summit and shook hands. The American leader approached Putin and stood next to him while they were photographed. Both presidents shook hands for a few seconds and smiled. After the photo was taken, Putin and Trump went to the reception.
The summit for the leaders of APEC member states, which is being held in the city of Da Nang, will continue through November 11.
In early November, Trump stated that he might meet with Putin at the APEC summit. According to Trump, the Russian president could help the US in Syria and North Korea. The American leader noted that he should talk with Putin about Ukraine.