Possible Trump-Putin-Xi meeting in Shenzhen remains unconfirmed
The leaders of Russia, the United States and China may meet in Shenzhen on the sidelines of the APEC summit, according to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov. China has not confirmed the initiative, and no agreement has been reached on the meeting’s timing, participation or agenda. Ukraine insists it must be included in any discussions concerning the war.
Key points
- Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said China is preparing a possible meeting of the leaders of Russia, the United States and China.
- The meeting could be added to the APEC summit in Shenzhen, scheduled for November 18–19, if circumstances are favorable.
- China’s Foreign Ministry has not confirmed the proposed meeting.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said no agreement has been reached on holding the meeting or setting its agenda.
- Donald Trump said he is ready to meet Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, but has not yet agreed to participate.
- Trump said the meeting could focus more on nuclear weapons than specifically on Ukraine.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine must participate in any meeting addressing the war.
Why it matters
A possible meeting involving Trump, Putin and Xi could shape diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Its significance depends on whether Ukraine participates, what issues are discussed and whether China helps mediate or simply hosts the meeting. The initiative also follows reported contacts involving US envoy Steve Witkoff, Ukrainian officials and Russian leaders about negotiations and security guarantees.
What happened
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said China was preparing a possible trilateral meeting of the leaders of Russia, the United States and China. He said the meeting could be included in the program of the APEC summit in Shenzhen if conditions were favorable. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the idea was under discussion but said no arrangements had been made regarding the meeting or its agenda. The proposed gathering follows talks between Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff, who met in Saint Petersburg on October 21 after meeting Zelenskyy in Oslo on October 20.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian officials and media emphasize that Ukraine must participate in any meeting dealing with the war. Zelenskyy also wants to know the agenda of a possible Trump-Xi-Putin meeting to avoid new surprises. Ukraine’s foreign minister warned that excluding Kyiv could encourage Putin to continue the war.
How international sources describe it
International reporting focuses on Putin’s proposed meeting with Trump and Xi, China’s possible hosting role and uncertainty over the agenda. Trump’s statements have introduced a further ambiguity: he said he was ready to discuss ending the war but also suggested nuclear weapons could be the main topic. Chinese messaging continues to emphasize peaceful negotiations and political settlement without confirming the meeting.
Where reporting differs
China has not officially confirmed the initiative, while Russian statements say preparations are under way and that none of the three capitals rejects the idea. Reports differ on whether the meeting would take place during the November 18–19 APEC summit in Shenzhen or in December in southern China. The agenda is also disputed: reporting links the proposal to ending the war in Ukraine, while Trump said nuclear weapons could be more central than Ukraine.
Background
The reported initiative emerged from contacts involving Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, US envoy Steve Witkoff, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders. The APEC summit in Shenzhen is scheduled for November 18–19. The possibility of the first meeting of the leaders of Russia, the United States and China has drawn international attention, but no final agreement has been announced.