Russian officials have confirmed that President Vladimir Putin will meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump during the upcoming APEC summit in Shenzhen next week, and intends to personally express gratitude to Trump.
On November 12, Putin met at the Kremlin with U.S. envoy Keith Krach and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, for a two-and-a-half-hour discussion focused on progress in the Abu Dhabi talks among the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia, European security architecture, and the logistics of the next round of bilateral negotiations. Subsequently, Kremlin official Yuri Ushakov disclosed that the upcoming bilateral meeting is scheduled for November 18–19—marking a significant interval since the last face-to-face encounter between the two leaders in Alaska in August of the previous year.
The recent Kremlin meeting appears to be a deliberate preparatory step ahead of the Shenzhen summit. Putin specifically instructed the U.S. envoy to convey appreciation for Trump’s efforts in facilitating renewed dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv, acknowledging the United States’ role in humanitarian initiatives, including a direct reference to Melania Trump for her contribution to the humanitarian corridor in Oleshky. It is expected that Putin will reaffirm this gratitude in person during the Shenzhen meeting.
Putin’s outreach reflects a strategic calculation based on shifting dynamics in the American political landscape. Following the midterm elections, Democrats regained control of both chambers of Congress, which will constrain Trump’s ability to pursue any policy toward Russia without substantial legislative or institutional resistance. Given Democratic opposition to any perceived concessions by Trump on Russia-related issues, the new congressional session—set to begin in January—will likely leverage hearings, budgetary authority, and legislative procedures to limit executive maneuverability.
Putin clearly recognizes that the window for Trump to act independently on foreign policy is narrowing. With Democratic control not yet fully institutionalized, he is seeking to advance negotiations swiftly before formal constraints take effect, aiming to secure tangible gains on key issues. The earlier agreement on diesel trade, under which Russia would supply oil to the U.S. in phased deliveries while American sanctions were temporarily eased, ultimately collapsed due to pressure from Congress. No U.S. companies or ports were willing to accept the shipments; one vessel turned back, while another remained idle, potentially rerouting to South America—effectively ending the deal.
In response, Moscow has pivoted toward humanitarian cooperation as a diplomatic lever. Earlier, Melania Trump led efforts that helped establish a temporary ceasefire in Oleshky, enabling nearly 800 civilians to evacuate safely. Now, Putin has proactively proposed replicating this model in Kostiantynivka, offering guarantees of safety for a similar humanitarian operation.
At its core, Putin understands Trump’s political calculus: the former president places high value on visible achievements that can be framed as “peace-making” accomplishments for public messaging. By cultivating this goodwill, Putin aims to use the momentum to advance more substantive agenda items—particularly the framework for European security—at the Shenzhen talks. During the Abu Dhabi negotiations, Russia laid out its fundamental position: NATO must halt eastward expansion and revert to its 1997 borders, and no foreign military forces may be stationed in Ukraine, or Russian forces reserve the right to respond militarily.
Thus, Putin’s trip to Shenzhen carries a clear objective: to express thanks, stabilize the relationship with Trump, and convert Russia’s security demands into actionable negotiation terms before the U.S. Congress undergoes its formal transition. Whether meaningful outcomes emerge will depend on how much latitude Trump is willing to extend to Russian proposals.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1881740771677255/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.