Putin and Xi Propose Trilateral Summit With Donald Trump

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have discussed holding a trilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China, on November 18-19. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov announced the possibility from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where Putin and Xi attended a Shanghai Cooperation Organization gathering.

While Putin and Xi are expected to attend the forum, the meeting depends on Trump's participation. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly stated there are currently no announcements regarding the U.S. president's attendance. The proposed gathering would follow a planned visit by Xi to Washington later this month and a Group of 20 summit hosted by Trump in Florida in December.

A trilateral summit would likely address the war in Ukraine, U.S.-China trade tensions, energy security, and sanctions. Analysts suggest such a meeting would signal a return to big-power logic in international relations, potentially ending Russia's international isolation and positioning China as a central diplomatic hub. However, the prospect has caused concern in Kyiv and European capitals, where officials fear major powers may decide the fate of smaller states without their input.