Putin Said To Have Accepted Invitation To APEC Summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted Thailand's invitation to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held between November 18-19, the Bangkok Post reports citing an unnamed security source.

• The outlet notes that Chinese President Xi is yet to confirm his attendance, while U.S. President Biden will send an envoy to represent him. It was earlier reported that Vice President Harris could stand in for Biden.
• Foreign Ministry spokesman suggested that "nine economies" have responded positively to the invitation, while "eight more are likely to attend" and "there will be two to three countries that will join as special guests."
• Putin's has limited his foreign trips since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic launching and his subsequent invasion of Ukraine. The only countries he visited since the war started were Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Uzbekistan.
• Note that November 16-18 will be a public holiday in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan due to the APEC summit.