Putin, Trump and Xi May Meet in China as Ukraine Raises Concerns

Could the leaders of Russia, the United States and China sit together to discuss the war in Ukraine? That possibility is now being discussed, but there is still no confirmed plan for such a meeting.

The Kremlin said on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping could meet on the sidelines of next month’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in China. The idea reportedly involves discussing ways to end the war in Ukraine.

However, the proposal has already raised concerns in Kyiv. Ukraine says a meeting about its future that does not include Ukrainian leadership could make the situation worse rather than bring peace closer.

What has the Kremlin said?

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the possibility of a three-way meeting had come up in discussions.

The idea was reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal, which said Putin had proposed meeting Trump and Xi to discuss how the war in Ukraine could be brought to an end.

Peskov made one point clear: no formal agreement has been reached. He said there had been no specific proposals about the meeting itself or what the leaders would discuss.

In simple terms, the possibility is being explored, but the three leaders have not confirmed that they will sit together.

The timing could make a meeting possible because all three leaders may attend the APEC summit in China next month. The summit is scheduled to take place in Shenzhen on November 18 and 19.

Why is Ukraine worried?

Ukraine is concerned that decisions about ending the war could be discussed without the country directly involved.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticised the idea on social media platform X. He argued that a meeting involving the leaders of Ukraine, the United States and Russia could help bring the war to an end sooner. A meeting between Russia, China and the United States, he warned, could instead encourage Putin to continue the fighting.

Ukraine’s concern is straightforward: it is the country being invaded, so its government believes it must have a direct say in any agreement that affects its territory, security and future.

Kyiv also fears that an agreement negotiated mainly by larger powers could put pressure on Ukraine to accept terms it does not consider fair.

Can Russia and the US make a peace deal without Ukraine?

The Kremlin itself says a final peace settlement cannot be reached without Ukraine’s participation.

Peskov said that someone in Kyiv willing to take responsibility for a settlement would have to be involved. His comments suggest that, even if Putin, Trump and Xi meet, a discussion between the three leaders would not by itself settle the war.

There is an important difference between discussing possible solutions and negotiating a final peace agreement. Russia, the United States and China may all have influence over the situation, but Ukraine would still need to be part of any settlement concerning its own territory and security.

The key question is not simply whether the three leaders can meet. It is whether such a meeting would help create conditions for meaningful negotiations involving both Russia and Ukraine.

Why is China part of the discussion?

China has close relations with Russia and is also an important global power with significant economic ties to the United States.

That gives Beijing a possible role in diplomatic efforts surrounding the war. A meeting involving Xi, Putin and Trump could allow the leaders to discuss the conflict alongside wider international issues.

But China's involvement does not automatically mean that a peace agreement is close. The details of any proposed meeting remain unclear, and Beijing has not publicly confirmed that the three leaders will hold talks together.

The meeting could also cover subjects beyond Ukraine. Until an agenda is agreed, it would be premature to assume that the war would be the only issue discussed.

What has the United States said about peace efforts?

Peskov said the United States was continuing its efforts to mediate between Russia and Ukraine and that Moscow appreciated those efforts.

The last US-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine took place in February, before the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran, according to the reports.

Despite previous diplomatic efforts, Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on the conditions for ending the war. Their differences include the terms of a possible settlement and the security arrangements that would follow.

That is why a meeting between world leaders, even if it happens, should not be mistaken for a breakthrough.

What happens next?

For now, the proposed meeting remains uncertain. The Kremlin has confirmed that the idea was discussed, but there is no final decision on whether the three leaders will meet or what they would discuss.

If the meeting goes ahead, the response from Ukraine will be an important part of the story. Kyiv wants direct involvement in negotiations, while Russia, the United States and China may seek to discuss the conflict at the highest diplomatic level.

Ultimately, ending the war will require more than a meeting or a public statement. The difficult questions are whether Russia and Ukraine can agree on acceptable terms, how Ukraine’s security would be protected and whether any agreement would hold over time.

Until those questions are addressed, the possibility of a summit is a diplomatic development to watch, not proof that peace is near.