Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a trilateral summit with former U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping next month to discuss a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to individuals familiar with the discussions. The proposed meeting, which may take place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China, aims to negotiate an end to the war in a manner favorable to Moscow.
Putin first put forward the idea during a phone conversation with Trump on October 9, according to a former Russian intelligence officer briefed on the matter. The call also resulted in an agreement for the United States to purchase Russian diesel fuel and facilitate its global sales. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that talks about the meeting were underway but noted that details, including the agenda and timing, remained undefined.
A senior U.S. official stated that Trump had not committed to attending the summit but might be receptive given his campaign promise to end the war quickly. Trump, who had vowed to conclude the conflict “on day one” if re-elected, is now approaching nearly two years in office. The official indicated that Trump views the summit as a potential avenue to fulfill that pledge.
The Kremlin suggested holding the summit during the APEC meeting scheduled for November 18–19, which would mark a significant diplomatic moment for Xi Jinping as China seeks to enhance its role as a global powerbroker. Analysts observing China’s diplomatic strategy noted that Beijing appears open to the talks if Trump agrees to participate. However, Chinese officials reportedly have concerns that such a high-profile geopolitical event could detract from China’s broader goals of showcasing regional leadership during APEC.
The proposal comes amid a noticeable warming of ties between Putin and Trump, which has raised concerns in Washington, Kyiv, and Brussels. In parallel with the summit discussions, Trump recently negotiated a deal to import Russian diesel in an effort to alleviate rising fuel costs impacting the U.S. economy. On October 15, Trump also suspended the implementation of sanctions on Russia, a decision that drew criticism from members of Congress, including some Republicans.
Observers note that rising diesel prices are primarily linked to the war in Iran and that the incremental Russian fuel supply may have limited impact on global markets. Meanwhile, Trump has publicly expressed frustration with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, criticizing Kyiv’s attacks on Russian fuel infrastructure and suggesting Zelensky should be replaced. On October 17, following a Ukrainian strike on an oil terminal in St. Petersburg, Trump accused Zelensky of sabotaging peace prospects, posting on his social media platform that the Ukrainian leader “doesn’t want to end this war.”
Moscow views the three-way summit as a strategic effort to reaffirm Russia’s status as a global power alongside the United States and China. The Kremlin is also intent on excluding European actors, which it considers obstacles to resolving the Ukraine conflict on terms acceptable to Russia. Some analysts have likened Putin’s vision for the trilateral talks to a modern-day Yalta-style summit, with ambitions to carve up spheres of influence.
While the likelihood of Trump and Xi endorsing such a comprehensive geopolitical realignment remains uncertain, the symbolic impact of a summit between the three leaders could be profound. In Taiwan, for example, there are concerns that a similar forum could eventually decide the island’s fate, given Beijing’s continued refusal to rule out the use of force to achieve reunification.
The proposed summit presents risks for Xi, who must balance support for Putin with efforts to maintain robust economic ties with Europe, even as China pursues greater diplomatic influence through forums like APEC. The outcome of these complex and tentative discussions will be closely watched by international observers in the coming weeks.