APEC 2023:  US to invite Russia

The United States says it will invite Russia, a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), to the bloc’s meetings hosted by the United States next year.

Matt Murray, a senior U.S. official for APEC, told a media briefing in Singapore that as “good stewards of APEC”, the United States will invite Russia to meetings of the 21-country bloc.

At an APEC meeting hosted by Thailand in May, representatives from the United States and some other countries walked out in protest of Russia’s actions in Ukraine when Russian Economy Minister Maxim Reshetnikov was delivering remarks.

Relations between Washington and Moscow have deteriorated to their worst in 60 years since Russia invaded Ukraine which has prompted sanctions and condemnation from Western nations as well as countries like Singapore.

Also Read: APEC leaders meet in Bangkok  

Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend a summit of the Group of 20 major economies in Bali last month despite an invitation from host Indonesia.

Murray did not say if Putin would attend next year’s APEC leaders’ meeting in San Francisco.

The Russian leader was represented by First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov at the leaders’ meeting hosted by Thailand last month.

Reuters/Zainab Sa’id