Could a Trump–Putin–Xi Meeting Change the Ukraine War?

A possible meeting between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping has raised questions about the next step in efforts to end the Ukraine war. Bringing the three leaders together could create space for discussions. However, the meeting remains uncertain, and Ukraine has already expressed concern about the idea. According to the Reuters report published by Dawn on October 19, the Kremlin said the possibility had been raised. It did not announce an agreement to hold the meeting.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the three leaders could potentially attend next month’s APEC summit in China. This had led to discussion of a possible meeting on the sidelines. However, Peskov made clear that no specific proposals or agreements had been put forward about the meeting or its agenda. That distinction matters. Discussing whether leaders might meet is an early diplomatic step. It does not mean that preparations are complete or that peace negotiations have been arranged.

Peskov was responding to a question about a Wall Street Journal report that said Putin had proposed the meeting to discuss ending the Ukraine conflict. This remains an attributed report. The Kremlin’s comments confirmed that the possibility of a meeting had come up, while leaving its purpose and content unsettled. It is therefore too early to describe the possible gathering as a Ukraine peace summit or suggest that the leaders have agreed on a path forward.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticised the proposed format. He argued that talks involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia could help bring the war to an end sooner. In his view, a meeting involving Russia, China and the United States would instead encourage Putin to continue the war. This is Ukraine’s stated assessment, rather than an established outcome of a meeting that has yet to happen. His response highlights a central concern: discussions about Ukraine’s future would take place without a Ukrainian leader at the table. Peskov, meanwhile, said Ukraine would need to participate in any final peace settlement.

A gathering of the three leaders could provide an opportunity to discuss the conflict. Whether it would produce progress would depend on what they discussed and whether those discussions led to terms that Ukraine and Russia could accept. The report offers no evidence of an agreed peace plan or a breakthrough. It says Ukraine and Russia remain far apart over the conditions for a possible settlement. Peskov also said the United States was continuing its mediation efforts and that Russia appreciated them. Those comments describe ongoing diplomacy, but they do not establish that an agreement is close.

A Trump–Putin–Xi meeting could become a significant diplomatic event if it takes place. For now, its timing, agenda and possible results remain uncertain. The key question is whether any discussions would lead to meaningful negotiations involving Ukraine. Until there are concrete proposals and wider agreement, the prospect of a meeting should be understood as a possibility—not a peace breakthrough.

Category: International News and World Politics 

Original URL; https://www.dawn.com/news/2038294/kremlin-says-putin trump-and-xi-could-hold-a-three-way-meeting-in-china next-month