Russian President Vladimir Putin has withdrawn his attendance to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Senior Leaders’ Meeting next week, Russian media reported on Thursday.

Citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, a report by tass.ru said Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev will instead represent Putin in the Apec summit on Nov. 18 to 19.

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“I can confirm that Prime Minister will represent Russia at APEC summit in Manila,” Peskov was quoted as saying.

“In this respect from the viewpoint of optimization of schedule of the top leadership of the country president has made a decision not to go that far together with the premier with literally 102 days’ difference,” he added.

The report came a day after Philippine security officials said they were hoping that the Russian Embassy will consider moving Putin to a hotel closer to Apec venues. Putin was supposed to be billeted in a hotel along Edsa-Shaw Boulevard, while majority of world leaders and delegates will stay at hotels in the cities of Pasay and Makati.

Aside from Putin, Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo will also reportedly skip the Apec summit.

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