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A senior US official told the newspaper that Trump had not agreed to the proposal, although he could be receptive to the idea.
Putin floated the trilateral summit proposal during a telephone conversation with Trump on October 9. (AI generated image)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a trilateral summit with US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss ending the Ukraine war, a move that could strengthen Moscow’s diplomatic position while raising concerns about Ukraine being excluded from negotiations over its own future.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Putin floated the proposal during a telephone conversation with Trump on October 9. Moscow has suggested holding the meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled for November 18-19 in Shenzhen, China.
However, the proposal remains tentative. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told WSJ that there was no clear understanding of whether the meeting would take place or what its agenda would be. “There is no clear understanding yet regarding the meeting itself or its potential agenda,” he said, adding that all three sides acknowledged the possibility of such a meeting.
A senior US official told the newspaper that Trump had not agreed to the proposal, although he could be receptive to the idea as he seeks to end the conflict. Neither Washington nor Beijing has publicly committed to the proposed summit.
Why Putin Wants Trump And Xi At The Same Table
The proposed meeting comes amid renewed diplomatic manoeuvring over the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Nearly five years into the conflict, fighting continues along multiple fronts, while negotiations have struggled to produce a settlement acceptable to both sides.
According to the report, Putin’s proposal could help Moscow capitalise on improving ties with Trump and position Russia as a central player in discussions involving the world’s three major powers. However, the absence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from the proposed format could complicate any effort to secure a lasting peace agreement.
The initiative could also elevate China’s role as a potential diplomatic intermediary. Yun Sun, director of the China programme at the Stimson Center, told WSJ, “China wants to be seen as the pivot of the great powers, and potentially as a mediator between the US and Russia.”
Beijing, which has maintained close ties with Moscow while seeking to preserve its economic relationship with Europe, would face a delicate balancing act if it participated in negotiations perceived as sidelining Kyiv.
Energy Deals And Battlefield Pressure Complicate Peace Efforts
The proposed summit also comes against the backdrop of renewed US-Russia energy discussions. According to the report, Putin and Trump discussed a potential arrangement involving Russian diesel supplies to the US and international markets during their October 9 call. Trump subsequently announced that Russia would supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel fuel, with additional shipments expected.
The energy discussions coincide with tensions between Washington and Kyiv. Trump has criticised Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, while his administration’s decision to pause planned sanctions against Moscow has drawn criticism from opponents of the move.
Meanwhile, the fighting shows little sign of abating. Ukraine has continued targeting Russian oil facilities and other infrastructure with long-range drones, while Russian forces have intensified attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy installations. Ukrainian authorities have also reported mounting pressure along eastern front-line sectors, including Pokrovsk.
Zelenskyy said on October 18 that Ukraine remained in communication with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as diplomatic efforts continued. The Ukrainian president has maintained that peace must be achieved on terms that protect his country’s interests and security.
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Ask News18Vladimir Putin proposed a trilateral summit with US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping during an October 9 telephone call to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, a move that could strengthen Moscow’s diplomatic standing and elevate China’s role as an intermediary.
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Pragati is a News Editor at news18.com. Having headed the Business and Viral sections, Pragati now ideates, writes and edits long-form features and articles on national and global affairs. She ensures…Read More
October 19, 2026, 07:56 IST
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