Former U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated a willingness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in China next month, with the discussions potentially excluding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump’s proposed agenda for the meeting would focus on nuclear disarmament and potentially address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
During remarks to reporters on October 19, Trump expressed his readiness to contribute to ending the war in Ukraine but criticized Zelensky’s negotiation strategy, suggesting that another representative might be more effective in peace talks on Ukraine’s behalf. This stance has sparked concerns from Ukrainian officials who fear that excluding Kyiv from negotiations could embolden Russia to continue its military aggression.
The prospect of a summit involving Trump, Putin, and Xi comes as tension grows between the United States and Ukraine regarding sanctions, military support, and peace negotiations. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has warned that any diplomatic efforts should include Ukraine and emphasized the importance of Russia showing a genuine commitment to peace. Sybiha cautioned that sidelining Ukraine in such discussions could undermine efforts to resolve the conflict.
Trump’s comments were made in the context of a recent Russian drone attack in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, which resulted in the deaths of six civilians, including two children, and injured 15 others. Zelensky has condemned the attack, calling for enhanced Western air defenses and sustained sanctions against Russia.
The potential meeting would align with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit scheduled for November in Shenzhen, China. Reports suggest that Moscow is interested in talks that could influence a resolution to the Ukraine conflict. However, the Kremlin has stated that no formal proposal or agenda for the meeting has been established, and China has not confirmed any plans for such a summit.
Meanwhile, Trump’s decision to relax restrictions on Russian diesel exports and waive new sanctions against Moscow has drawn criticism from Kyiv, which argues that these measures could provide financial benefits to Russia while the conflict persists.