Russian President Vladimir Putin has put forward the idea of a three-way meeting with Donald Trump and Xi Jinping next month, with the war in Ukraine a possible central topic. A US newspaper reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter, that the plan could work in Moscow’s favour. The summit has not been confirmed, and its agenda remains open.
According to the newspaper, Putin raised the proposal during a phone call with Trump on 9 October. The same conversation also led to a diesel deal between the two countries, the paper said, citing a former Russian intelligence official.
Shenzhen meeting tied to APEC summit timing
Russia has suggested holding the talks in Shenzhen, China, on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, scheduled for 18-19 November, the newspaper said.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the paper that discussions about a possible meeting were ongoing. He said no clear decision had been made on whether it would go ahead or what it would cover, but that all three sides acknowledged the possibility.
Washington signals caution as Rubio confirms talks
A senior US official told the newspaper that Trump had not agreed to the summit but might be willing to consider the proposal. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said he was aware of discussions about a possible meeting, but did not know whether it had been finalised. He added that Trump had made clear his wish to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Zelensky criticises diesel deal and eased sanctions
The proposal comes amid wider shifts in US-Russia relations, including the reported diesel agreement and a presidential executive order issued on Friday that eases certain key restrictions on Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised the diesel agreement and the easing of sanctions on Moscow. He warned that these measures could embolden Putin and prolong the war.
