Confusion reigns over whether Trump, Putin will meet at APEC

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Russia and the United States gave mixed messages on Friday about whether their leaders will meet on the sidelines of a regional economic forum in Vietnam, with the White House ruling out an encounter but the Kremlin saying it could still happen.

Relations between Moscow and Washington have plummeted as a US probe has accused Trump's former campaign aides of secretly meeting Kremlin-connected officials – a charge Moscow denies.

Both leaders are attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in the city of Da Nang and there have been conflicting indications in recent days on whether a face-to-face was in the cards.

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks before signing a proclamation commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War during an event with US military veterans in Da Nang, Vietnam November 10, 2017.

The issue appeared to be finally settled shortly before Trump's touchdown in Da Nang on Friday afternoon when press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders briefed reporters on board Air Force One that there was not enough time for the pair to meet.

"There was never a meeting confirmed, and there will not be one that takes place due to scheduling conflicts on both sides," she said.

But Putin's team said a tete-a-tete could still take place.

"There is contradictory information coming from our American colleagues," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters after Sanders' comments.

"We don't fully understand yet. But we are patiently continuing to work in order to come to an understanding. Both presidents are in town. One way or another they will cross paths," Peskov told reporters on the sidelines of the APEC forum.

"In any case, a meeting will take place on the sidelines," he added.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov attends a meeting of Russia's President Vladimir Putin with his Macedonian counterpart Gjorge Ivanov at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 24, 2017. /Reuters Photo‍

Peskov's comments could indicate plans for Trump and Putin to share a handshake or brief conversation during one of the mass gatherings of leaders in Da Nang, rather than hold a full bilateral meeting.

Both Moscow and Trump had previously suggested that talks were likely to take place.

On Sunday the US president said "it's expected we'll meet with Putin" to discuss the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) nuclear ambitions.

Four days later Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov told Russian news agencies that the two would hold a meeting in Vietnam with the time and place still to be determined.

But hours later US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said no decision had been made on talks, which would be the first between the two men since they met at the G20 summit in Germany in July.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin arrives for APEC in Da Nang, Vietnam November 10, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Trump's relationship with Moscow has haunted the first year of his administration.

His former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and an associate are under house arrest on charges including conspiracy to launder money, linked to the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into allegations that the campaign colluded with Russia.

Russia has denied allegations of interfering in the US election last year that brought Trump to power.

Source(s): AFP ,Reuters