Vladimir Putin has suggested a gathering next month with Donald Trump and Xi Jinping to negotiate a resolution to the four-year conflict in Ukraine. The Wall Street Journal reported that this proposal originated during an October 9 phone conversation between the Russian and US leaders. That same dialogue produced an agreement for Washington to purchase Russian diesel and help move it through international markets, according to The Hindu BusinessLine. Daily Maverick noted that the paper cited a former Russian intelligence officer and other individuals familiar with the talks.
The Kremlin reportedly suggested holding this trilateral dialogue alongside the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which is scheduled for November 18 and 19 in Shenzhen. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, told the Journal that negotiations were ongoing. He noted that while all three parties recognize the potential for such a meeting, the specific agenda remains undefined. A senior US official indicated to the publication that Trump had not formally committed to the event but might welcome the idea. The White House and the Russian and Chinese embassies in Washington had not immediately responded to comment requests, as noted by Daily Maverick.
This diplomatic push follows a warming relationship between Trump and Putin, highlighted by the recent diesel deal and a Friday executive order that waived major sanctions on Moscow. Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian president, has criticized these moves, warning they could strengthen Putin’s position and extend the war. Al-Monitor reported that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the potential meeting while visiting Uzbekistan on Monday. Speaking in Samarkand, Rubio stated that talks had occurred but were not yet finalized. He emphasized that the president wanted the conflict to end, citing the risk of escalation into neighboring countries. Al-Monitor also noted that a fresh Russian air strike had killed a woman in Kyiv overnight, hitting a subway station and damaging a residential building.