Recent Kremlin statements have reinforced trader expectations that no meeting will occur. On August 20, 2026, presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the possibility outright, stating that arranging a Putin encounter with Ye lies outside the administration’s scope. Ye’s planned mid-October concerts in St. Petersburg have since encountered venue withdrawal and internal Russian debate tied to his past statements, further reducing any realistic window for high-level engagement before the October 31 deadline. The absence of confirmed diplomatic outreach or scheduling signals sustains the 97.5% “No” consensus. A sudden policy reversal, informal side meeting during a revised tour, or last-minute official invitation remain conceivable but would require rapid, verifiable shifts from current positions.