The Kremlin has confirmed that discussions are underway to organise a historic trilateral meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, potentially bringing three of the world’s most influential leaders together later this month.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that preparations were ongoing and expressed hope that arrangements for the meeting would be finalised within the coming days. He indicated that China would play a central role in organising the proposed summit as the host country.
According to reports, the meeting is being considered for the sidelines of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ summit scheduled for November 18–19 in Shenzhen, China.
The proposed gathering would mark a significant diplomatic development, potentially creating an opportunity for Washington, Moscow and Beijing to discuss major international challenges, including global security, nuclear arms control, economic relations and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
However, China’s position on the proposed three-way meeting remains unclear. Beijing has confirmed communication with relevant parties regarding a possible meeting between Xi Jinping and Putin but has not publicly confirmed that Trump will participate in a trilateral summit. It also remains uncertain whether China will formally agree to host the three leaders together.
The possibility of the summit comes amid heightened international tensions and renewed diplomatic efforts surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has also raised concerns about discussions on Ukraine taking place without European participation, stressing that European countries should have a role in decisions affecting the continent’s security.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has indicated that Moscow considers direct engagement between the three major powers potentially valuable. If confirmed, the proposed meeting could become an important moment in international diplomacy, although expectations remain cautious as discussions continue.
For now, the world is watching closely to see whether the diplomatic discussions translate into a confirmed summit and whether the three leaders can use the opportunity to address some of the most pressing geopolitical challenges.
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