Reported by:
Cherry Meigh Timbol
News Content Editor
Published October 22, 2026
China has reportedly begun preparations for a potential trilateral summit involving Chinese President Xi Jinping, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the meeting potentially taking place in November on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ summit in Shenzhen, according to the Kremlin.
The proposed gathering comes amid renewed diplomatic engagement between Washington and Moscow over the war in Ukraine, as well as efforts to explore broader cooperation among the three major powers.
China says preparations underway
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov said Chinese officials were already working on preparations for the proposed meeting, which could be held alongside the APEC leaders’ summit in Shenzhen in November.
Ushakov indicated that the gathering would depend on favorable circumstances and the participation of all three leaders. He also said experts had begun examining possible topics for discussion.
However, the Kremlin has stressed that the summit remains a possibility rather than a confirmed diplomatic event. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on October 19 that the idea had been discussed, but no specific proposals or agreements had been reached regarding the meeting or its agenda.
Trump signals interest in nuclear armys discussions
Trump has expressed willingness to meet Xi and Putin, saying the talks could focus on denuclearization rather than primarily on ending the war in Ukraine.
The proposed discussions would bring together the leaders of three major nuclear powers at a time of continuing international tensions and strained relations between Washington and Moscow.
A summit could provide an opportunity to discuss nuclear weapons, strategic stability and relations among the three countries. Nevertheless, there is no confirmed agenda, and it remains unclear whether the leaders would reach any substantive agreements.
Ukraine’s Exclusion raises concerns
The prospect of a summit involving Washington, Moscow and Beijing has raised concerns in Ukraine, where officials argue that decisions affecting the country’s future should not be made without Ukrainian participation.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized the proposed format, arguing that a meeting among the three powers could encourage Russia to continue its war. The Kremlin, meanwhile, acknowledged that Ukraine would need to participate in any final settlement of the conflict.
The distinction is significant: discussions among the United States, Russia and China could address broader international security issues, but they would not automatically resolve the separate dispute over Ukraine’s territory and security arrangements.
APEC Summit could provide the setting
The APEC leaders’ summit in Shenzhen, China, is scheduled for November 18–19, providing a possible venue for the three leaders to meet if arrangements are finalized. Russia has indicated that Putin plans to attend, while Trump’s participation has been discussed in connection with the broader diplomatic agenda.
China’s role as host would give Xi Jinping an opportunity to facilitate high-level discussions between Washington and Moscow. Whether Beijing will formally organize the trilateral meeting, however, remains subject to further diplomatic coordination.
For now, the proposed summit remains under consideration. Its potential significance lies in the possibility of direct talks among three influential powers, but its eventual outcome will depend on whether the leaders attend, what issues they prioritize and whether their discussions produce concrete commitments.
