Putin Suggests Trump, Xi Mediate Ukraine Peace Talks
Russian leader proposes U.S.-China summit to end Ukraine war, amid Kyiv outrage and Beijing’s cautious support.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a three-way meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal. The idea was floated during a phone call between Putin and Trump on October 9, with the summit planned to take place during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China, on November 18 and 19.
Kremlin and U.S. Responses
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that discussions had taken place but noted that no formal plan or agenda had been finalized. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the meeting had been discussed but emphasized that nothing was certain. A senior U.S. official stated that Trump had not yet signed on, though he remained open to the idea.
Ukraine’s Outcry
Ukraine’s top diplomat, Andrii Sybiha, strongly opposed the idea of peace talks without the country’s involvement, warning that such a move would embolden Putin and undermine Ukraine’s position. Sybiha argued that the Russian leader has no place at the negotiating table while his attacks on Ukraine continue.
China’s Ambitions and Concerns
Beijing is reportedly open to the proposal, provided Trump is involved. Analysts suggest that Xi Jinping aims to position China as a global power broker by mediating between Washington and Moscow. However, Chinese officials are concerned that the summit could damage their APEC showcase and provoke European trading partners wary of closer ties with Russia.
Russian Strategic Goals
For Putin, the summit offers an opportunity to exclude Europe, which the Kremlin views as the main obstacle to his war aims. A former Russian intelligence officer noted that Putin envisions a modern-day Yalta Conference, where the Allies divided the world into spheres of influence. Analysts warn that such a proposal could also raise fears in Taiwan, where leaders are concerned about their own geopolitical fate.
Trump’s Recent Actions
Trump recently struck a diesel deal with Russia to lower fuel prices and paused sanctions on the country. In a post on Truth Social, he criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for not seeking peace and claimed that holding off on sanctions was necessary to keep Russia at the negotiating table. This stance contrasts with Trump’s past criticism of Putin over attacks on Ukrainian cities, where he once called the Russian leader ‘crazy’ and imposed sanctions on Russia’s major oil companies.
Source: Daily Wire
