Russia urges Biden to include Putin at APEC summit in San Francisco.
Russian President Putin Seeks Invitation to International Summit, but Biden Holds the Power
Russian President Vladimir Putin is eager to attend an international economic summit, but his fate lies in the hands of President Joe Biden, who controls the guest list.
“I, as a senior official of the Russian Federation, actively engage with them and have once again sent a request calling for an invitation to the Russian leader,” Russian Ambassador Marat Berdyyev told state media.
Biden is set to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November, a highly anticipated gathering of Indo-Pacific leaders that may include a meeting between Biden and Chinese General Secretary Xi Jinping. However, Putin seems to be facing a frustrating snub, as Biden’s team plans to exclude foreign officials who have been sanctioned, even the Kremlin chief who sees himself as an heir to Czar Peter the Great.
“The U.S. has informed us through bilateral channels that this year they are not going to invite a number of leaders because of the sanctions restrictions that apply to them,” Berdyyev complained.
In recent months, Putin has been selective about which international events he attends. He was forced to make a virtual appearance at the BRICS summit in South Africa due to the host nation’s obligation to arrest him on behalf of the International Criminal Court. Putin also skipped the subsequent G20 summit in India, but he is expected to travel to China next month.
Biden’s decision to exclude Putin coincides with Russia’s attempt to improve its diplomatic standing. Russian envoys are campaigning for a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council, despite ongoing allegations of torture and rape committed by Russian forces in Ukraine.
“Russian soldiers raped and committed sexual violence against women of ages ranging from 19 to 83 years,” former Norwegian judge Erik Mose, who chairs the United Nation’s independent commission of inquiry on Ukraine, told the U.N. Human Rights Council on Monday. “Frequently, family members were kept in an adjacent room, thereby forced to hear the violations taking place.”
Russia was suspended from the U.N. Human Rights Council last year, and now they are competing against Albania and Bulgaria for two available seats. The State Department has condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine and believes their representation on a human rights body is inconsistent with their behavior.
China, which opposed Russia’s suspension from the human rights panel, indirectly supports Moscow’s plea for an invitation to the APEC summit.
“We should … oppose advocating for ‘democracy versus authoritarianism’ and imposing our own values and models on others,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Tuesday. “Of course, we and all parties hope that the United States will recognize its responsibility as the host, demonstrate openness, fairness, inclusiveness, and responsibility, and create better conditions for the smooth holding of the meeting.”
China also has its own stake in the matter, as their representative in Hong Kong was sanctioned for his role in suppressing protests against Beijing’s control over the territory.
Despite procedural arguments, Biden’s team has made it clear that they expect all APEC member delegations to participate in accordance with U.S. laws and regulations.
Despite being excluded from the APEC summit, how does Russia still maintain significant influence and power in global affairs
On to exclude Putin from the APEC summit is not surprising given the strained relationship between the United States and Russia. The Biden administration has been clear in its criticism of Russia’s human rights abuses, cyberattacks, and interference in democratic processes. As a result, sanctions have been imposed on a number of Russian officials, including some close to Putin.
Excluding Putin from the summit sends a strong message that the United States does not view him as a legitimate international leader. It also aligns with the Biden administration’s goal of isolating Russia diplomatically and economically.
While Putin may be disappointed by the snub, it is unlikely to significantly impact his position on the international stage. He has consistently pursued his own agenda, regardless of the opinions of other world leaders. Putin has relied heavily on his strongman image and the perception that he is a powerful leader who cannot be ignored. This perception has been reinforced by his recent actions in Ukraine and Crimea, where he has demonstrated a willingness to use military force to achieve his goals.
Furthermore, Russia still has significant influence in various regions and can exert its power through other means. Putin has been forging closer alliances with countries like China and Turkey, creating alternative power structures that do not rely on inclusion in Western-led summits. Additionally, Russia’s vast energy resources continue to give it leverage in global affairs.
In the end, the decision to exclude Putin from the APEC summit is a reflection of the current state of the relationship between the United States and Russia. It is a clear message that the Biden administration will not overlook Russia’s actions and will hold Putin accountable for his behavior. Whether or not Putin attends the summit, it is unlikely to change the dynamics of the broader geopolitical landscape.
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