Trump Signals Willingness to Meet Putin and Xi in China Over Ukraine, Nuclear Talks
Trump said he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in China next month to discuss nuclear weapons and denuclearisation, with a possible focus on the Ukraine war.
In Brief
- •Trump said he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in China next month to discuss nuclear weapons and denuclearisation, with a possible focus on the Ukraine war.
- •The potential meeting could take place on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, scheduled for November 18‑19, 2026.
- •Trump criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, suggesting Ukraine should have another negotiator and downplaying the war as a primary reason for the meeting.
- •Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov and Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated no concrete arrangements have been made for the proposed meeting.
- •A recent Russian drone strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, killed six people, including children, amid intensified Russian attacks on the country.
Why It Matters
The prospect of a trilateral meeting between the United States, Russia, and China—without Ukraine’s participation—could signal a shift in U.S. diplomatic priorities and potentially undermine U.S. support for Kyiv. It also raises questions about the role of nuclear disarmament talks in the context of an ongoing conflict, and how such high‑level diplomacy might influence global non‑proliferation efforts and the balance of power in Eurasia.
Key Details
- APEC Summit Dates
- November 18‑19, 2026
- Meeting Location
- Shenzhen, China
- Trump’s Position on Ukraine
- Not a primary reason for meeting
- Drone Attack Casualties
- 6 killed in Kharkiv
- Zelensky Criticism
- Trump called for another negotiator
Context & Background
The Ukraine war began in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, prompting sustained U.S. military and economic support for Kyiv. U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks represent a departure from the administration’s traditional stance on the conflict.
Original Reporting & Sources
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