Putin Proposes Trump-Xi Summit to Discuss Ukraine War Settlement
At a Glance
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly proposed a November summit with U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.
- The proposed meeting could take place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, on November 18–19.
- The Kremlin has confirmed preliminary discussions, but Trump has not agreed to the meeting and its agenda remains unclear.
- The proposal comes amid closer U.S.-Russian engagement over Russian diesel supplies and Washington’s recent waiver of key sanctions on Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a trilateral summit with U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss a possible settlement of the war in Ukraine on terms favorable to Moscow, according to a Wall Street Journal report cited by Reuters. The proposal remains preliminary, with no confirmed agreement from Trump and no clear agenda for the potential meeting.
Key Statements and Focus Areas
Putin’s Proposed Summit
- According to the Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the discussions, Putin raised the idea during an October 9 phone call with Trump.
- The Kremlin reportedly suggested holding the meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China, scheduled for November 18–19.
- The proposal is intended to explore an end to the four-year war in Ukraine, with the reported terms potentially favoring Moscow.
Kremlin Confirms Preliminary Discussions
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that a possible meeting was being discussed, while emphasizing that no clear agreement had been reached.
“There is no clear understanding yet regarding the meeting itself or its potential agenda, although all three parties acknowledge the hypothetical possibility of such a meeting taking place.”
— Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, as quoted by The Wall Street Journal
A senior U.S. official told the newspaper that Trump had not agreed to the summit, although he might be receptive to the proposal. The White House did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment, and Chinese officials had not publicly confirmed the meeting.
U.S.-Russia Engagement and Sanctions
- The reported proposal follows an October 9 call between Putin and Trump that reportedly also produced an agreement involving Russian diesel supplies.
- On October 16, Trump signed an order waiving key sanctions provisions targeting Russia, citing U.S. national interests.
- The moves have drawn criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has warned that easing pressure on Moscow could embolden Putin and prolong the war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed holding a summit next month with U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Sunday and cited by Reuters.
The proposed meeting could be held on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, on November 18–19. People familiar with the discussions told the newspaper that Putin raised the idea during a telephone conversation with Trump on October 9. The report described the proposed settlement as one that could favor Moscow.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that discussions about a potential trilateral meeting were underway, but said there was no clear understanding of the meeting itself or its agenda. A senior U.S. official told the Wall Street Journal that Trump had not committed to attending, although he could be open to the idea.
The White House did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The Kremlin was not immediately available for comment outside regular business hours, while the Russian and Chinese embassies in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The reported proposal comes amid renewed engagement between Washington and Moscow. During their October 9 phone call, Putin and Trump reportedly discussed a deal involving Russian diesel supplies. Trump subsequently signed an executive order waiving key sanctions provisions against Moscow, a move his administration has linked to U.S. national interests and efforts to maintain diplomatic engagement.
The decisions have drawn criticism from Zelensky, who has warned that easing sanctions and expanding Russian diesel exports could strengthen Putin’s position while Russia’s war against Ukraine continues.
The potential summit would bring together the leaders of Russia, the United States and China, but the reported proposal has not established whether Ukraine would participate directly. The possibility of discussing the future of the conflict without Zelensky’s involvement raises questions about how any proposed settlement would address Ukraine’s own security concerns and terms for ending the war.
FYI
The proposal would place the Ukraine war within a wider diplomatic framework involving three major powers, but a meeting between Putin, Trump and Xi would not itself constitute a peace agreement. Any settlement would depend on the positions of the parties to the conflict, the terms under discussion and the mechanisms for implementing and enforcing an agreement.
The reported initiative also comes as Washington and Moscow explore closer engagement over energy supplies and sanctions. For Ukraine, the central concern is whether renewed U.S.-Russian contact could lead to a settlement that limits Kyiv’s role in decisions affecting its territory and security. Zelensky has already criticized Washington’s recent moves on Russian diesel and sanctions, warning that they could benefit Moscow.
For now, the summit remains a proposal rather than a confirmed diplomatic event. Trump’s response, China’s position and the possible agenda will determine whether the idea advances beyond preliminary discussions.
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