US President Donald Trump stated on 19/10 that he is open to a trilateral summit with Russia and China, potentially on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in China next month. Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump indicated that if such a meeting were to occur, discussions would focus on nuclear weapons and denuclearization. "If it's set up, we will meet to discuss nuclear weapons and denuclearization. If President Xi Jinping wants to do it, I'm open to it. Certainly, we would also discuss other issues like trade", Trump said.

When asked if Ukraine would be a topic of discussion at the potential meeting, Trump clarified that his involvement was "not necessarily for Ukraine". He commented on Russia's approach to the conflict, stating, "Honestly, Russia has been quite measured regarding Ukraine. They haven't done much". Despite this, Trump affirmed his commitment to do "anything he could to end the war".

President Donald Trump at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, near Washington DC, on 19/10. Photo: AP

President Trump also defended a diesel fuel agreement with Russia and a decision to delay new sanctions against Moscow for 60 days. He simultaneously criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stating, "Zelensky doesn't know what he's talking about" when questioned about recent remarks from Ukraine's leader. Trump added that Zelensky had not been particularly helpful in the current situation and suggested, "I think it's time for someone else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine".

According to a source familiar with the matter, the White House has been discussing a potential trilateral meeting with Moscow and Beijing for several weeks. This meeting would take place on the sidelines of the APEC summit scheduled for 18-19/11 in China. Putin had previously proposed using such a meeting to negotiate an end to the four-year conflict in Ukraine on terms favorable to Russia, as reported by WSJ, citing individuals aware of the discussions. Putin's proposal was made during a 9/10 phone call with Trump, which also led to the Russian diesel fuel agreement.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed on 19/10 that the possibility of a trilateral meeting had been mentioned, given that the leaders of all three nations could attend the conference in China. However, Peskov stressed that "no concrete proposals or agreements have been made or discussed, either regarding the meeting itself or its proposed agenda and content".

President Xi and President Putin shake hands during a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 20/5. Photo: AP

While the leaders of the US, Russia, and China have held individual meetings, they have not yet conducted trilateral negotiations. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated she had no information about a potential meeting. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga reacted strongly to the news of a meeting without Kiev's involvement, saying, "A trilateral meeting between the leaders of Russia, China, and the US would be counterproductive, only encouraging Putin to continue this war".

Putin has repeatedly rejected the possibility of meeting Zelensky before a final peace agreement is drafted. He has also consistently questioned the Ukrainian leader's authority to sign such an agreement, as Zelensky's five-year term has effectively expired, though it remains extended under martial law.

Thanh Tam (According to AFP, Reuters, WSJ)