Washington: US President Donald Trump has said he is open to meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin for discussions on nuclear weapons and denuclearisation. However, the proposed meeting has not been finalised, and it remains unclear whether all three leaders will agree to participate.
Trump made the remarks on Monday, October 19, amid discussions about a possible trilateral meeting in China next month. The meeting could take place alongside the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, scheduled for November 18 and 19 in Shenzhen, China.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the possibility of a meeting had been discussed but was not finalised. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also described the proposal as hypothetical, indicating that important details, including the agenda, had yet to be agreed upon.
Trump has identified nuclear weapons and denuclearisation as the main focus of a possible meeting. Trade could also feature in the discussions. Russia, meanwhile, has reportedly raised the possibility of discussing the war in Ukraine, suggesting that the three leaders may have different priorities for the proposed talks.
The possible meeting comes at a significant time for international security. The United States, China and Russia possess major military capabilities and have considerable influence over global affairs. Cooperation among them could help advance discussions on nuclear risks, although their differences over security and arms control remain substantial.
One major challenge is China's position on nuclear disarmament negotiations. Beijing has repeatedly argued that its nuclear arsenal is considerably smaller than those of the United States and Russia. It has therefore opposed calls to participate in trilateral negotiations on the same basis as the two countries.
China has not publicly confirmed its participation in the proposed meeting. Its position will be important in determining whether the idea can move beyond preliminary discussions and become a formal diplomatic initiative.
The proposal also comes months after the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, known as New START, expired on February 5, 2026. Signed by the United States and Russia in 2010, the treaty placed limits on their deployed strategic nuclear weapons and established verification measures.
The expiration removed the treaty's legally binding limits and verification arrangements, raising concerns about the future of nuclear arms control between Washington and Moscow. Discussions involving China could become increasingly important as the three countries consider how to address nuclear risks, although there is no confirmed agreement to begin formal trilateral negotiations.
The possible meeting is also linked to wider tensions over Russia's war in Ukraine. Relations between Washington and Kyiv have faced disagreements over how to approach the conflict and negotiate with Moscow.
Russian officials have reportedly considered using the proposed meeting to discuss a possible settlement of the war on terms favourable to Moscow. This differs from Trump's publicly stated emphasis on nuclear weapons and denuclearisation. There is no confirmed agreement among the three countries on a peace settlement or any terms concerning Ukraine.
Ukraine has also raised concerns about being excluded from discussions that could affect its future. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has warned that a meeting involving the United States, Russia and China without Ukraine could encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin to continue the war. His objection reflects Kyiv's concern that decisions affecting the country should not be made without its participation.
The APEC summit in Shenzhen offers a possible opportunity for the three leaders to meet in the same location. However, the scheduled economic gathering does not confirm that a separate trilateral summit will take place. The timing, format and agenda of any additional meeting remain uncertain.
For now, Trump's statement signals a willingness to consider direct discussions with the Chinese and Russian presidents. Whether the proposal develops into a formal meeting will depend on further diplomatic consultations and the positions of all three governments.
If the meeting takes place, nuclear arms control could become a central issue, alongside other matters of international concern. However, differences over China's participation in disarmament negotiations and the war in Ukraine could complicate efforts to reach common ground.