Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a summit next month with US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to negotiate an end to the four-year-old Ukraine conflict in a manner that would favor Moscow, according to reports citing individuals familiar with the discussions. The suggested trilateral dialogue comes as relations between Washington and Moscow experience a warming trend, highlighted by a recent announcement from the US President regarding a deal to purchase Russian diesel and an executive order waiving key sanctions on Moscow.
According to accounts from individuals briefed on the matter, the Russian leader's suggestion arose during an October 9 telephone conversation with Trump that also involved the diesel arrangement. The Kremlin has reportedly floated the idea of holding the meeting on the sidelines of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which is scheduled to take place on November 18 and 19 in Shenzhen.
While the White House did not immediately respond to inquiries for comment and the Kremlin was unreachable outside of regular business hours, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged that talks regarding a potential gathering are underway. He noted that while a clear understanding regarding the meeting or its agenda has not yet been established, all three sides recognize the hypothetical possibility of such an event occurring.
A senior US official indicated that Trump has not formally committed to the proposed summit, though he might remain open to the concept. Meanwhile, the developing economic arrangements and sanctions relief have prompted criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who cautioned that such measures risk emboldening Moscow and extending the duration of the war.