Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed holding a trilateral summit with US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping next month to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. The idea was raised during an October 9 phone call between Putin and Trump, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has confirmed that discussions about arranging the meeting are under way. The possible talks could coincide with the APEC summit in China, where Trump has said he is ready to meet both Putin and Xi. The prospect has already drawn criticism, however, because Ukraine and Washington's European allies would likely have no seat at the table.
Kremlin Confirms a Possible Three-Way Meeting
The proposal for a three-way meeting of the leaders of the United States, Russia and China was first reported by The Wall Street Journal, with details also carried by Ratopati, Nagarik News and Khabarhub. According to the report, Putin put forward the idea of a trilateral summit during his October 9 telephone conversation with Trump, suggesting the three leaders meet as soon as next month to discuss how the war in Ukraine could be brought to an end.
Peskov subsequently confirmed that the idea is being actively discussed, saying talks about the possible meeting are under way. No final decision has been announced, and key details such as the exact date, the venue and the format have yet to be settled. Still, the confirmation from the Kremlin that preparations are being discussed is the clearest signal so far that Moscow intends to pursue the idea of convening the three leaders in the same place.
Timing: Could the Summit Coincide With APEC in China?
One of the most closely watched details in the reported proposal is its possible timing and location. The trilateral talks may coincide with the APEC summit being hosted by China, which would allow Putin, Trump and Xi to meet while all three are already gathered in the same country for the Asia-Pacific economic gathering.
Trump, for his part, has said publicly that he is ready to meet both Putin and Xi in China. His willingness to sit down with the Russian and Chinese presidents at the same time adds momentum to a proposal that would, if it goes ahead, place the leaders of the United States, Russia and China around a single table to discuss matters of war and peace.
Ukraine, Denuclearisation and Trump's Criticism of Zelenskyy
According to Trump's comments, denuclearisation and the war in Ukraine could both feature on the agenda if the meeting goes ahead. That framing suggests the proposed summit would not be confined to the conflict in Ukraine alone, but could extend to broader strategic questions linking Washington, Moscow and Beijing.
The US president has also coupled his remarks about the possible summit with criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Those comments add a further point of friction to the debate over Ukraine's future, and they come as attention focuses on who would actually be in the room if the three leaders do sit down to talk.
Criticism: No Seat at the Table for Ukraine or Europe
The proposal has drawn criticism because Ukraine and Washington's European allies would likely not be represented at the talks. At the heart of the concern is a simple problem: a war being fought on Ukrainian territory could be discussed without Kyiv present, and without the European governments that have stood alongside Washington in supporting Ukraine.
For those allies, the prospect of exclusion from a summit that could shape the trajectory of the war adds another layer of unease. The arrangement would mean the future of Ukraine being weighed by three outside powers, even as the country most affected by the fighting waits on the outcome of conversations it may not be part of.
Where Things Stand
- The proposal: Vladimir Putin has suggested a trilateral summit with Donald Trump and Xi Jinping next month to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.
- The origin: The idea was raised during an October 9 phone call between Putin and Trump, according to The Wall Street Journal.
- The confirmation: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says discussions about the meeting are under way.
- The setting: The talks could coincide with the APEC summit in China, where Trump says he is ready to meet both leaders.
- The agenda: Denuclearisation and the Ukraine war could be discussed, according to Trump, who has also criticised President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- The controversy: Ukraine and Washington's European allies would likely not be represented at the talks.
Whether the summit ultimately takes place, and in what form, remains to be seen. What is clear is that preparations are being actively discussed in Moscow, that Washington has signalled openness, and that if the three leaders do meet in China next month, the war in Ukraine and the wider strategic relationship among the three powers would top the agenda, even as questions persist over who gets a voice in deciding the outcome.
