Plans for a Trilateral Leaders' Meeting
Following discussions between Vladimir Putin and US President's special envoy Steve Witkoff in Russia, officials announced preparations for a potential summit involving the leaders of Russia, the United States, and China. The Chinese side is taking responsibility for organizing the event, with Shenzhen emerging as the likely venue during Putin’s talks with Witkoff.
Putin also held talks in Saint Petersburg with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the upcoming APEC summit in China. Earlier, The Wall Street Journal reported that Putin suggested holding a trilateral meeting next month with US President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.
Responses from the US and China
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed discussions about convening a meeting between the three major powers’ leaders. However, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it has no official information regarding such a trilateral summit. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha expressed concern that this format might encourage Putin to continue the war in Ukraine, arguing that inviting Putin to meet with the US and Chinese presidents could boost his perceived international legitimacy undeservedly.
"Our Chinese partners, the hosts of the APEC summit, are either preparing or have already begun preparations. If circumstances permit, they will certainly include this meeting in the Shenzhen agenda." – Yuri Ushakov
At this stage, the plans for a trilateral summit among the US, Russia, and China remain under discussion, with no final decision reached yet.
Holding such a meeting could be a significant diplomatic development, given the prominent roles of these countries on the global stage. Amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the summit might influence international diplomacy and strategic approaches among the involved nations. China's cautious stance—yet to confirm the summit—reflects a careful balancing act in its relations with both Russia and the US amid complex global challenges.
As discussions around the potential trilateral summit progress, it's important to note that Putin has proposed a separate meeting with Trump and Xi for November, which notably excludes Ukrainian President Zelensky. This proposal underscores the shifting dynamics in international relations and the ongoing complexities surrounding the Ukraine conflict.