Leaders of Russia, the US, and China May Hold Tripartite Meeting
Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested convening a trilateral summit next month with US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This proposal emerged during a phone call on October 9. While talks about the potential meeting continue, Trump has yet to confirm his participation. The summit is tentatively planned to take place alongside the APEC summit scheduled for November 18-19 in Shenzhen, China.
During the October 9 call, Putin and Trump also reached an agreement for the US to purchase Russian diesel fuel and help promote its distribution on the global market. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that discussions about the meeting are ongoing but emphasized that there is no clear consensus on whether the summit will happen or what its agenda might include. A senior US official noted that Trump has not committed to the summit, influenced in part by his campaign promise to end the war.
Role of China and US Responses
The Kremlin’s suggestion envisions this three-party dialogue occurring within the framework of the APEC summit in Shenzhen. China has expressed no opposition to Trump attending such a meeting. However, the White House has declined to comment on the possibility of a Russia-US-China summit. Similarly, the Chinese Embassy in Washington received requests for comment but has not responded.
It is worth recalling that on September 25, Xi Jinping and Donald Trump discussed Russia’s war in Ukraine during a meeting at the White House. During that conversation, Trump promised to relay a message from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who asked Trump to use his influence to persuade Putin to end the conflict. Zelensky highlighted energy and grain exports as key areas for potential de-escalation measures.
China officially maintains a neutral stance on the war, opting not to take an active mediating role and instead acting largely as an observer. Beijing limits itself to calling for de-escalation and dialogue but refrains from direct intervention. Meanwhile, Russia has ignored China’s appeals for reducing tensions.
"A summit excluding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would be unprecedented and raise serious concerns across European capitals and beyond." The Wall Street Journal
Peskov reiterated that "there is currently no firm agreement on the meeting itself or its agenda, although all three sides acknowledge the hypothetical possibility of holding such talks."
Putin’s offer for a trilateral summit signals a possible diplomatic push to resolve the Ukraine conflict, but Trump’s hesitation complicates progress. Notably, the absence of Ukraine from these discussions has provoked unease among international analysts and observers, who worry that crucial decisions affecting Ukrainian sovereignty might be made without its involvement or consent.
As the potential summit between Putin, Trump, and Xi Jinping unfolds, it is essential to consider the broader diplomatic landscape, including recent interactions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Their meeting in New York on September 22, which included U.S. special envoys, highlighted the ongoing dialogue surrounding the Ukraine crisis. For more details on this crucial discussion, read about their encounter here.