The United States intends to support the participation of a Russian delegation at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit scheduled for San Francisco in November. Washington noted that it would consider the impact of current sanctions when weighing Russia’s role in the event, aligning with official statements from the U.S. Department of State. The goal mentioned by officials is to ensure inclusive participation among all APEC economies while adhering to existing sanctions and legal guidelines that govern such events.
Officials emphasized that Russia’s inclusion in APEC discussions remains contingent upon compliance with U.S. law and the broader regulatory framework in effect at the time. A representative from the State Department reinforced that the hosting country bears responsibility for upholding these standards as the bloc prepares for the 2023 APEC Summit. The emphasis was on balancing open participation with the obligation to enforce sanctions in a manner consistent with U.S. policy and international commitments.
On November 3, Anatoly Antonov, the Russian Ambassador to the United States, stated that Moscow would determine independently which officials would attend the San Francisco summit. He added that the United States should simply extend invitations and ensure that all APEC members receive formal notice, underscoring Russia’s desire for a self-directed representation in the conversations that shape regional economic policy.
Earlier Moscow officials had indicated that no official invitation from the United States had yet arrived for Russia to participate in the November gathering. They described a perceived delay in the White House’s response and suggested that Washington had not fulfilled its obligations to confirm invitations in a timely fashion, raising questions about the coordination process and timeline for participant confirmations.
In another public remark, Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, criticized the U.S. approach to APEC as flawed, signaling that Moscow viewed the conduct of the invitation and participation process as a test of bilateral and multilateral engagements within the forum. The commentary highlighted tensions between Moscow and Washington while stressing the importance of clear rules for participation that respect both regional goals and legal constraints. The exchange reflected the broader geopolitical dynamics at play as APEC members navigate sanctions, diplomacy, and the shared task of advancing economic cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region.