Russian, Ukrainian, German, French Leaders May Meet During ASEM Summit: Kremlin

Updated 12:54 p.m. Moscow Time

MOSCOW, October 9 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Vladimir Putin may meet with leaders of Ukraine, Germany and France during the upcoming Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit in Milan, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Thursday.

The 10th ASEM Summit of Heads of State and Government will be held on October 16-17 in Milan, Italy.

“A number of meetings with Western partners is planned in Italy and Ukraine is likely to be among the key issues. The so-called Normandy format, [comprising German Chancellor Angela] Merkel, [French President Francois] Hollande, Putin and [Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko] is possible,” he said.

ASEM is a forum of 51 European and Asian states addressing political, economic and cultural matters, as well as cooperation between the two regions. Heads of the group"s member states and foreign ministers hold meetings twice a year. At the summit, leaders of Asia and Europe will meet to discuss their future priorities and plans.