MOSCOW, November 13. The formal meeting between the presidents of Russia and USA Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama on the sidelines of the summit in Turkey on 15-16 November, not scheduled, however they will have possible contacts during the event. The journalists said the Russian leader’s aide Yuri Ushakov.
“Formally, meeting in Antalya at the summit of “twenty” was not consistent, but we cannot exclude that the presidents will be able to communicate in the joint, including the Protocol, activities in the framework of the summit,” Ushakov said. He recalled that during such contact “on the ground” at the summit of “twenty” in St. Petersburg in 2013 managed to reach a certain agreement on Syrian chemical weapons. “That is, a formal meeting is not planned, but some communication may occur over the next two days (of the summit),” again drew the attention of the representative of the Kremlin.
The Ushakov said that Putin and Obama recently held a detailed reconciliation of hours over Syria, Ukraine and other important issues in the fields of the jubilee session of the UN General Assembly in September.
Meetings with European leaders
“On fields” the summit “group of twenty” in Antalya, Turkey of the Russian President will hold bilateral meetings with European leaders.
As reported to journalists by the assistant to the Russian President, in talks with leaders of Germany, Britain and Italy, Putin will discuss bilateral and international issues, including situation in Syria and Ukraine. So, on 15 November will take place the negotiations of the Russian President with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The representative of the Kremlin noted that during previous contacts recently, mostly discussed Ukrainian issues. “Now we expect that will be reviewed and some issues of bilateral cooperation and current international issues – not only Ukraine, but obviously Syria,” said Ushakov. “Russia favours political and diplomatic settlement of the internal Ukrainian conflict and the full implementation of the Ukrainian side of the Minsk agreements of February 12, 2015”, – he stressed.
“During the forthcoming meeting it is planned to discuss topical issues of Russian-German cooperation. One of the major themes of measures to increase trade and economic relations”, – Ushakov has informed, having reminded that in 2014 for the first time in recent years a marked decline in the volume of trade between the two countries – by 6.5% to 70.1 billion dollars, while in January-August of the current year mutual trade decreased by a further 34.5% ($30.6 billion).
On the second day of the summit, 16 November, Putin is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister of great Britain David Cameron and Prime Minister of Italy Matteo Renzi. “Obviously, the question of further development of political dialogue, the prospects of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries will be discussed at the meeting with Putin Cameron. From the international themes we expect an exchange of views on the Syrian conflict and the situation in Ukraine”, – said Ushakov. According to him, in the Syrian issue “a priority for both countries is early cessation of violence and the elimination of divisions the Islamic state group on the territory of that state”.
“In view of the reasons and ways out of the situation in Ukraine, Moscow and London there is a shared understanding that a sustainable solution to the Ukrainian crisis can only be achieved through political dialogue with the aim of finding a compromise. In this sense all the importance of consistent implementation of the Minsk agreements”, – said the representative of the Kremlin.
He said that international and bilateral agenda will also be the main topics of the meeting of Putin and Renzi. “During the upcoming meeting is expected to discuss the current situation in trade and economic relations and measures for their revitalization, including in the framework of the Russian-Italian Council on economic, industrial and currency-financial cooperation. Special attention will be paid to the prospects of investment cooperation, including the possibility of localization of Italian companies manufacturing on the Russian territory,” – said Ushakov. “It is expected that the negotiations will address current international issues, including situation in Ukraine and the middle East region,” he added.
Meeting with President of Turkey
Syrian theme is expected to prevail at the meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on November 15 at the summit of “twenty” in Antalya. The journalists said the Russian leader’s aide Yuri Ushakov.
“Held (November 15) conversation with the summit host, Turkish President Erdogan. We are set to discuss the situation in the economic sphere, our interaction, energy will be discussed by the leaders. And, of course, will take place, we expect a detailed conversation on Syria,” – said the representative of the Kremlin. He did not rule out that this issue may take more than 90 percent of the time discussion. “How will the conversation – I can’t foresee, to predict, because it is not excluded that Syria will take 95 or 97 percent, I don’t know,” said Ushakov, answering the question about the prospect of discussing economic and other issues, Putin and Erdogan.
“But these topics (cooperation in the energy sector and economic relations) for a logical discussion, and our country is ready to discuss them, we prepare appropriate materials for this”, – said the representative of the Kremlin. He also pointed that the meeting with Erdogan will be held after tomorrow’s meeting in Vienna on Syria, and “we just need to wait for the results of the Vienna meeting, and there may be some new nuances appear.”
Meeting with head of the IMF
The topic of the Ukrainian debt to Russia will be discussed at the meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin with the head of the International monetary Fund Christine Lagarde on 15 November on the sidelines of the summit “twenty”, said Ushakov. He recalled that Putin met with Lagarde at the last APEC summit, they also had a few telephone conversations.
“Basically (during previous contacts with the head of the IMF) were discussed and now at this meeting will be discussed the situation around the settlement of Ukraine’s debt to Russia”, – said Ushakov. He reminded that the debt of $3 billion should be repaid by Kiev “clearly and in a timely manner” on 21 December this year, “and if Ukraine does not do this, then we reserve the right to address in court”. According to the assistant to the President, can be discussed and other issues, but “mostly the conversation, we believe, will go around the Ukrainian story”.
Background
Moscow and Kiev failed to agree on the fate of the loan Ukraine $3 billion, which was issued in December 2013. Kiev insisted on the recognition of its business and, accordingly, a 20 percent write-off and restructuring. Russia, in turn, insists on the official status of the debt and the full repayment in December 2015.
The heads of Finance of the Russian Federation and of Ukraine Anton Siluanov and Natalia Jaresko had only one meeting on the debt issue, which was held in mid October in the capital of Peru in the framework of the annual meetings of the IMF and the world Bank. The two sides reiterated their positions, but they failed to agree. The Russian Finance Ministry in the case of non-payment by Kiev’s debt in December, intends to apply to the international court.
Meeting with President of China
The President of Russia Vladimir Putin on 15 November on the sidelines of the summit “twenty” in Antalya (Turkey) will meet with President of China XI Jinping. About it has informed journalists the Russian leader’s aide Yuri Ushakov. According to him, the meeting will be held on Sunday evening. “We expect to exchange views on topical, important issues of bilateral relations, and discussed international issues, in particular, the interaction of two countries within the framework of the group of twenty, the situation in Syria, the situation on the Korean Peninsula and so forth,” – said the representative of the Kremlin. He stressed that “Putin uses every opportunity to meet with Chinese leader: we (the leaders) meet in a bilateral format on virtually all international events.”
Meeting with king of Saudi Arabia
The President of Russia Vladimir Putin on 16 November at the summit of “twenty” will meet in the king of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdul Aziz al Saud. “An agreement was reached to hold a bilateral meeting in Antalya with the king of Saudi Arabia,” – said the representative of the Kremlin. According to him, this meeting is important on the eve of the planned visit of the king to Russia. Ushakov added that the meeting will discuss bilateral issues “Syria first”.
The representative of the Kremlin noted that earlier, Putin several times talked with king on the phone and meeting in Antalya important in anticipation of the impending visit of the king to Russia. “Preparations for the visit,” Ushakov said.
The meeting of the leaders of the BRICS countries
On the eve of the summit of “big twenty” will be held a meeting of leaders of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, said Ushakov. “On the eve of the summit “twenty” will be held a meeting of leaders of BRICS, it is scheduled for 10 am on 15 November, i.e. before the inauguration of the summit,” Ushakov said. According to him, the meeting in this format will be discussed various issues of the upcoming summit and the implementation of decisions taken at the BRICS summit in Ufa this summer.
