Moscow has not yet received an official invitation from Washington for the November APEC summit in San Francisco, a situation confirmed by the Russian ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov. The absence of a formal invitation continues to be a point of contention, with Moscow emphasizing that the invitation process should be straightforward and non-discriminatory for all member economies.
According to Antonov, the pace of Washington’s response has been notably slow. He urged the White House to ensure equal access for all delegations and to issue visas in a timely fashion so that participating officials can prepare without obstruction. The envoy also urged the administration to avoid politicizing the operations of the forum, stressing that the APEC agenda depends on fair and predictable engagement from its presidency.
In a related development, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 27 voiced concerns about what it called flawed U.S. policy within APEC. A spokesperson for the ministry, Maria Zakharova, stated that Moscow would seek the necessary permission from Washington to attend the San Francisco summit and participate as an observer if required, underscoring Russia’s interest in maintaining constructive involvement in the regional forum.
There was also a recent White House decision not to extend an invitation to Russia’s president for the APEC gathering, a move that has sparked further dialogue between Moscow and Washington on regional security and economic cooperation within the Asia-Pacific. The broader context includes ongoing discussions about how to balance leadership roles, regional stability, and inclusive participation in major multilateral events.
Earlier remarks from Sergei Lavrov highlighted concerns about risks in the Asia-Pacific region, emphasizing the strategic importance of the area and the need for steady diplomacy amid evolving security dynamics. The exchange underscores Moscow’s interest in ensuring that Russia’s voice remains part of regional conversations that shape trade, energy, and security arrangements across the Pacific Rim.