FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Trump open to Putin–Xi summit as Ukraine warns against being sidelined
President Donald Trump says he is open to a three-way summit with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping, potentially around next month’s APEC meeting in China, as Ukraine warns against talks about the war that exclude Kyiv.
President Donald Trump says he is open to a three-way summit with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping, potentially around next month’s APEC meeting in China, as Ukraine warns against talks about the war that exclude Kyiv.
What This is
- Trump said he is open to meeting with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin in a three-way summit, potentially tied to next month’s APEC gathering in China.
- Several accounts say Putin floated the idea during an Oct. 9 call, and the proposal has been discussed as something that could happen on the sidelines of APEC in Shenzhen.
- China has not publicly agreed to the trilateral meeting, and the Kremlin says the idea has only been raised so far without a set agenda.
- Zelenskyy and Ukrainian officials say U.S. support has been constrained in ways that hurt Ukraine’s defenses, while Trump has publicly disputed parts of those claims.
- Reports tie the diplomacy to energy and sanctions steps, including a U.S.-Russia diesel deal and waivers or pauses affecting Russia-related sanctions.
Why This Matters
- A Trump–Putin–Xi format could shift who has leverage over any ceasefire terms.
- Leaving Ukraine out would set a precedent of major powers bargaining over an invaded country’s future.
- Tying peace talks to sanctions relief and energy trade can change what Russia and Ukraine are pressured to accept.
- Putting nuclear arms limits on the table could reduce the chance of direct U.S.-Russia-China escalation, but failure could deepen mistrust.