Washington / Moscow / Beijing | October 19, 2026 | INVC NEWS
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a trilateral summit with US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss the war in Ukraine and a possible peace settlement, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. The meeting could take place next month on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China, scheduled for November 18–19. However, the proposal remains at an early stage, and Trump has not formally agreed to attend.
The reported plan has raised questions about Ukraine’s role in any future negotiations. According to the report, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would not be represented in the proposed three-leader meeting, prompting concerns about whether discussions involving Moscow, Washington and Beijing could shape the terms of a settlement without Kyiv directly participating.
When Did Putin Propose the Meeting?
A former Russian intelligence official familiar with the discussions told The Wall Street Journal that Putin first raised the idea during a telephone conversation with Trump on October 9.
The call reportedly also involved an understanding that would allow the United States to purchase Russian diesel fuel and facilitate its distribution in international markets. The reported energy arrangement has added another dimension to the evolving relationship between Washington and Moscow as the Trump administration pursues diplomatic efforts to end the war.
The summit proposal would bring together the leaders of Russia, the United States and China—three major powers whose positions could influence the diplomatic environment surrounding the conflict.
What Has the Kremlin Said?
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed to The Wall Street Journal that discussions about a possible meeting were underway. He cautioned, however, that no firm agreement had been reached on either the meeting itself or its agenda.
Peskov said the possibility of such a summit was being acknowledged, but the details remained unresolved.
His remarks indicate that the proposal should not yet be treated as a confirmed diplomatic event. The participants would still need to agree on the format, timing and subjects for discussion.
Has Donald Trump Agreed to Attend?
Not formally, according to a senior US official cited by The Wall Street Journal.
The official indicated that Trump could consider the proposal as part of his efforts to negotiate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. Nevertheless, no final commitment to the trilateral summit has been reported.
The distinction matters because a proposal, preliminary diplomatic contacts and a formally scheduled leaders’ meeting are separate stages of negotiations.
Could the Summit Take Place on November 18–19?
The Kremlin has reportedly suggested holding the talks alongside the upcoming APEC summit in Shenzhen, a major technology and manufacturing hub in southern China.
The APEC gathering is scheduled for November 18 and 19. If the three leaders agree to meet during the event, the summit could provide an opportunity for discussions without requiring a separate international gathering.
However, the dates refer to the scheduled APEC summit, not a confirmed date for a Putin-Trump-Xi meeting. Whether the proposed talks take place will depend on further diplomatic discussions and the leaders’ decisions.
Why Is Ukraine’s Representation a Key Issue?
The reported proposal has drawn attention because Ukraine would not have a seat at the proposed three-leader meeting.
Any discussion about the terms of a settlement would directly affect Ukraine, including questions surrounding its territory, security and future relations with Russia. Kyiv’s participation would therefore remain a central issue in determining whether discussions among outside powers could contribute to an agreement accepted by the parties to the war.
The reported plan has also raised concerns among Ukraine’s supporters in Europe and Washington about the possibility of major decisions being discussed without direct Ukrainian representation.
The summit proposal does not, by itself, establish that Russia, the United States and China have agreed on any peace terms.
What Has Trump Said About the Peace Process?
On Sunday, Trump said negotiations to end the war were making significant progress. He defended his administration’s diplomatic approach towards Moscow and criticised Zelensky, claiming that the Ukrainian leader had missed an opportunity to secure a better agreement two years earlier.
Trump also defended his decision to hold off on imposing additional sanctions on Russia and tariffs targeting major buyers of Russian energy. He argued that applying further economic pressure at this stage could undermine negotiations by pushing Moscow away from the bargaining table.
These are the US president’s stated arguments for maintaining diplomatic engagement with Russia. Whether the approach produces a workable settlement remains uncertain.
What Happens Next?
The immediate questions are whether Trump will formally accept Putin’s proposal, whether Xi will participate and whether the three governments can agree on an agenda.
The role of Ukraine and the position of European countries will also remain important to any broader diplomatic process. Even if a summit takes place, a meeting between the three leaders would not automatically amount to a ceasefire or a peace agreement.
The Bottom Line: Putin has proposed a possible November summit with Trump and Xi to discuss the Ukraine war, but the meeting has not been formally confirmed. The proposed format, which reportedly excludes Zelensky, raises a central question for the peace process: can talks among major powers advance a settlement without Ukraine directly participating in the negotiations?
