Shenzhen: Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly proposed a summit with US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss ending the war in Ukraine on terms favourable to Moscow. However, the meeting has not been confirmed, and the proposed arrangements remain uncertain.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Putin raised the idea during a telephone conversation with Trump on October 9. The proposed meeting could take place in November in Shenzhen, China, alongside the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. The report cited people familiar with the discussions.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged that discussions about a possible meeting were taking place, but the arrangements and agenda remained unsettled. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said on October 19 that discussions had taken place, although he did not know whether the meeting had been finalised. He said Trump wanted the war to end.
A US official cited in the original report said Trump had not agreed to attend. There has been no confirmed announcement that Xi has accepted the proposal. The reported discussions therefore remain a possible diplomatic initiative rather than an agreed summit or a confirmed step towards a peace settlement.
The proposed timing is significant because the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting is scheduled for November 18 and 19 in Shenzhen. The gathering will bring together leaders from major economies, providing an opportunity for diplomatic contacts. However, the official APEC schedule does not confirm that a separate meeting involving Putin, Trump and Xi will take place.
The reported proposal has also raised questions about Ukraine's role in any negotiations. According to the Wall Street Journal's reporting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would not be included in the proposed talks. The Ukrainian government has not been confirmed as a participant in this specific initiative.
Ukraine's involvement would be an important issue in any effort to end the conflict. Russia's demands concerning security and political arrangements differ from Ukraine's position on its sovereignty and future security. The available information does not establish that the three leaders have agreed on how these differences could be resolved.
Zelenskyy has continued diplomatic contacts with the United States. He recently said he had spoken with US presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about the results of discussions between Ukrainian and American teams in Florida and preparations for further diplomatic steps. He also highlighted continuing Russian attacks and Ukraine's need for air defence support.
The reported summit proposal comes amid wider discussions about US policy towards Russia, including sanctions and a reported arrangement involving Russian diesel. The October 9 telephone call was also linked in the reporting to a possible US purchase of Russian diesel. Trump subsequently signed an order on October 16 waiving certain sanctions involving Russia.
These developments have drawn attention because sanctions are an important part of Washington's pressure on Moscow. However, the measures should not be interpreted as a general lifting of all US sanctions on Russia, and the available information does not establish that the diesel arrangement or sanctions waiver forms part of an agreed summit plan.
China's potential role is another important question. Beijing maintains relations with Moscow and has called for a political solution to the war. However, China's response to the reported proposal has not been confirmed, and there is no established agreement on whether Xi will participate.
The proposed meeting could provide an opportunity for discussions among three influential world leaders. Nevertheless, a summit alone would not guarantee progress towards peace, particularly if the countries involved remain divided over the conditions for ending the conflict.
The main outstanding questions concern whether Trump and Xi will accept the proposal, whether a date and agenda will be agreed, and what role Ukraine will have in any subsequent diplomatic process. Further statements from Moscow, Washington, Beijing and Kyiv may clarify the proposal as the November APEC meeting approaches.
For now, Putin's reported initiative remains a diplomatic possibility. No confirmed summit arrangements or agreement to end the war have been announced.