Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a meeting next month with U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to discuss ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. The Wall Street Journal » reported Sunday evening, citing people close to the discussions.
The negotiations would not involve Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, an unprecedented decision that should alarm many European countries, WSJ wrote.
According to the report, the Kremlin suggested that the three leaders meet on the sidelines of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which will take place on November 18-19 in Shenzhen, southern China.
Putin first suggested the meeting during a meeting with Trump on Oct. 9, during the same conversation in which the two leaders agreed that the United States would buy Russian diesel fuel and facilitate its sale, a former Russian intelligence officer said. WSJ.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that discussions about a possible meeting were ongoing.
“There is no clear agreement yet regarding the meeting itself or its potential agenda, although all three parties recognize the hypothetical possibility of such a meeting taking place,” he said. WSJ.
A senior US official said WSJ that Trump had not agreed to the meeting but might be receptive to the idea because of his desire to end the war.
Trump and Zelensky clash over Ukraine attacks and US sanctions
It comes as Trump and Zelensky publicly criticize each other’s decisions, with Zelensky saying Saturday that Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Russia and tariffs on its products days before they take effect will embolden Moscow to continue attacking Ukraine, and Trump suggesting Ukraine needs a new president.
Trump claimed that Zelensky “doesn’t want to end this war, and probably never has,” in an article on Truth Social earlier Sunday, calling on the Ukrainian leader to stop attacking Russian diesel refineries.
Neither the White House nor the Chinese embassy in Washington commented on the report, but analysts told the WSJ that a meeting between Trump, Xi and Putin could advance Xi’s ambitions regarding China’s place in global diplomacy.
“China wants to be seen as the linchpin of the great powers, and potentially as a mediator between the United States and Russia,” said Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, a Washington think tank. WSJ.
However, Chinese officials expressed concern that the meeting could overshadow China’s role in the region within APEC, according to the report.
People familiar with the discussions said WSJ that Xi is also trying to balance support for Putin and economic ties with Europe. A meeting with Putin and Trump to discuss Ukraine could increase the risk of a negative reaction from Europe.
Jerusalem Post staff contributed to this report.
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