Trump, Xi and Putin in one room? What we know about Russia's proposed summit in China
Putin has floated a three-way meeting with Trump and Xi at APEC in Shenzhen on November 18-19 to discuss Ukraine. Who says what, and why Kyiv objects.
A meeting of the world’s three most powerful leaders could be on the cards next month, or it could be nothing. Here’s what is known.
The proposal
The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that Vladimir Putin wants a summit with Donald Trump and Xi Jinping to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, on terms that would suit Moscow, Kyiv Post reported. A former Russian intelligence officer said Putin raised the idea in a phone call with Trump on October 9, and a senior US official confirmed the proposal.
The suggested venue is the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, on November 18-19, which all three countries attend.
What each side says
- Russia: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the idea “has indeed been mentioned”, since all three leaders may be at APEC, but that no substantive proposals or agenda have been put forward. He also said a final settlement is impossible without Kyiv, The News reported.
- United States: Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he didn’t know whether anything had been finalised, but that Trump wants the war to end. The White House declined to comment. A senior US official said Trump hasn’t agreed but could be open to it.
- China: Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said she had no information about a meeting. People familiar with Russia-China diplomacy told the WSJ that Beijing wasn’t opposed.
- Ukraine: Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said a meeting including Ukraine would help end the war sooner, but a Russia-China-US meeting without it would “encourage Putin to continue this war.” President Zelensky has warned it would be a “historic mistake” for Washington to side with Russia.
The former intelligence officer claimed Putin sees it as a chance for a “new Yalta-style conference” to divide the world into spheres of influence. That claim hasn’t been verified.
Why it matters for Pakistan
Pakistan has close ties with China, a working relationship with the US, and growing contacts with Russia. A deal among the three big powers would shape oil prices, trade and the region’s security for years. A meeting held in China would also be a big diplomatic moment for Beijing, Pakistan’s closest ally.
For now, it’s an idea, not a plan. Watch for confirmation as APEC approaches.
Sources
This story was researched and drafted with AI assistance, then checked and edited by our editor before publishing.
