Russia is exploring the possibility of joint investment projects involving both the United States and China, according to Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund and a key figure in Moscow's recent contacts with Washington.
The remarks came just hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin was due to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday, days after Xi held high-level talks with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Dmitriev, who heads the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), said Moscow was considering projects that could potentially involve all three powers despite deep geopolitical tensions between them.
'Within the framework of the Russian Direct Investment Fund we are also looking at certain projects, including those involving both China and the U.S.,' he said, according to Russian state media.
The comments are notable given worsening relations between Washington, Beijing and Moscow over issues ranging from Ukraine and Taiwan to sanctions, trade and technology restrictions.
Putin's visit to Beijing comes at a diplomatically sensitive moment, with China positioning itself at the centre of global power politics after hosting Trump and now welcoming the Russian leader within days.
The Xi-Putin summit is expected to focus on trade, energy cooperation and broader efforts to promote what both countries describe as a 'multipolar world order'.
Around 40 agreements are reportedly expected to be signed during the visit.
Russia has increasingly leaned on China economically since Western sanctions isolated Moscow after the Ukraine war.
At the same time, recent contacts between Russian and U.S. officials have fuelled speculation that Moscow may be trying to keep limited economic channels open with Washington despite ongoing tensions.
Dmitriev has emerged as one of the key Russian figures involved in those diplomatic and economic discussions.
Analysts say any serious trilateral economic cooperation between Russia, China and the United States would still face major political and strategic obstacles.
(with inputs from Reuters)