Kremlin Says Trump, Putin and Xi Meeting Is Being Arranged

The Kremlin said on November 3 that officials were working to arrange a meeting among U.S. leader Donald Trump, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and China's President Xi Jinping during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China. The summit is scheduled for November 18 and 19.

Trump and Putin Seek Summit as Ukraine Is Left in Doubt

A possible meeting between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping is moving toward the agenda at the November 18-19 APEC summit in Shenzhen. The Kremlin says officials are working on arrangements, while Trump has said he expects discussion of nuclear weapons and denuclearization. He has also dismissed the prospect of the talks focusing on Russia’s war in Ukraine, calling Russia’s situation there fine.

That leaves Ukraine’s future at risk of being discussed without Ukraine in the room. Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has indicated a preference for Russia, Ukraine and the United States to meet before a gathering of Russia, China and the United States. The three-power format may bring leaders together, but it does not itself include the country at war with Russia.

Beijing will have a major say in whether the meeting happens, since China is hosting the summit. Its foreign ministry said it was communicating with relevant parties about a meeting between the Chinese and Russian leaders, without confirming Trump’s participation. A summit could put nuclear diplomacy on the table, but the uncertainty over Ukraine underscores the limits of a process shaped by the powerful while Kyiv seeks a direct seat.

Trump, Putin and Xi Could Put Nuclear Talks on APEC Agenda

A potential meeting of Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping at the November 18-19 APEC summit could put nuclear weapons and denuclearization directly on the agenda. Trump has said he would take part if Xi wanted the meeting and expects the leaders to discuss nuclear issues. The Kremlin said on November 3 that preparations were underway.

For Washington, Moscow and Beijing, a direct conversation among the leaders of the three nuclear powers offers a chance to address a consequential security issue. Putin has also backed the prospect of a meeting, saying talks could help clarify positions and identify subjects for negotiations. The summit host, China, will control the scheduling and has not publicly confirmed Trump’s attendance at the proposed gathering.

The possibility remains unsettled. China’s foreign ministry referred to communications about a meeting between the Chinese and Russian leaders, while a Russian deputy foreign minister said no final decision had been made. Beijing has been wary of Trump’s call for a three-way nuclear arms agreement, and a summit would not guarantee progress. Still, putting the leaders in the same room could open a channel for discussion, even if their differences—including over Ukraine—remain unresolved.