Putin Proposes Trilateral Summit With Trump And Xi To Address Ukraine Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested a summit next month with U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to negotiate an end to the four-year-old Ukraine conflict that would favor Moscow.

Background

The proposed meeting comes amid warming ties between Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin, following the U.S. President's announcement of a deal to buy Russian diesel and an executive order waiving key sanctions on Moscow. A former Russian intelligence officer briefed on the matter stated that Mr. Putin made the suggestion during an October 9 telephone call with Mr. Trump.

Responses

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed to the press that discussions are underway for a potential meeting, noting that while the agenda is not yet clear, all three parties acknowledge the hypothetical possibility of it happening. A senior U.S. official stated that Mr. Trump has not yet agreed to the summit but might be open to the idea. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the diesel deal and the sanctions waiver, warning that these actions would embolden Mr. Putin and prolong the war.

Context

International summits often serve as key diplomatic venues where world leaders attempt to negotiate complex geopolitical disputes. The proposed gathering could take place on the sidelines of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit scheduled for November in Shenzhen.