Vladimir Putin: Meeting With Donald Trump Likely This Month at G-20 Assembly in Japan

Russian President Vladimir Putin could be meeting with Donald Trump later this month. The two state leaders will be attending the G-20 summit in Japan set on June 28-29 in Osaka, Japan.

Reuters reports that the possibility of Putin and Trump’s next meeting emerged last month, though the Russian government has reportedly yet to receive a formal invite from the White House. It also appears that the specifics of the supposed meeting has yet to be determined.

The relations of the U.S. and Russia has been historically complicated. But considering their influence in the international community, reports about the possible meeting of its leaders, Putin and Trump, would always gather worldwide interest. For now, however, the matters they will discuss should the talks push through are still unknown.

“The idea of a Putin-Trump meeting in Osaka within the framework of the G20 is hanging in the air,” Putin’s political aide, Yuri Ushakov, told the media on Tuesday. “Having raised the idea, the American side has not elaborated and we have not yet discussed the specifics and important elements - that is, the time, place and agenda - via any channels.”

Assemblies like G-20 summits are also a common venue for powerful leaders like Putin and Trump to schedule a meeting. Last November, the two presidents were scheduled to meet during the G-20 assembly in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The White House was obliged to cancel that meeting at the last minute. Putin’s government was condemned by the international community after its military forces reportedly fired at a Ukrainian vessel and detaining its crew sailing in the Crimean Peninsula.

However, a source who requested anonymity told the Financial Times that Putin and Trump allegedly proceeded with an off-the-record meeting. Other than the two leaders, first lady Melania Trump and Putin’s translator were reportedly the only ones to witness it. The White House said last December that it was just an informal conversation. But FT’s source reported that the matters discussed were “substantive.”