Putin, Trump and Xi discuss Ukraine peace talks at APEC
Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to meet on the sidelines of the APEC leaders’ summit in Shenzhen on Nov. 18‑19 to discuss a settlement of the war in Ukraine that would exclude President Volodymyr Zelensky. The proposal, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, comes after Washington suspended a bipartisan sanctions package and signed a deal to import Russian diesel for the U.S. market. If the three leaders convene, they could craft a peace framework without Kyiv’s participation, potentially reshaping sanctions, energy markets and the broader balance of power.
The idea emerged during an Oct. 9 phone call between Putin and Trump, according to a former Russian intelligence officer cited by the WSJ. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later said discussions were under way about a trilateral meeting. All three leaders are expected to attend the APEC summit for unrelated multilateral talks.
Trump’s recent actions align with the overture. In the week after the call he halted implementation of the bipartisan sanctions package and announced a purchase of Russian diesel for U.S. markets, a move that could lower domestic fuel prices but also undercuts the sanctions regime. On Oct. 17, Trump used his Truth Social platform to accuse Zelensky of refusing to end the war, a rebuke that coincided with a meeting between Zelensky and U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who were pressed to reaffirm military aid, including Patriot air‑defence systems.
Energy infrastructure has become a flashpoint. Moscow’s diesel refineries have ramped up output, while Kyiv’s forces recently struck a Saint Petersburg oil terminal with a drone. The escalation adds urgency to any fuel‑supply talks, as U.S. consumers could see diesel price volatility if Russian purchases expand, and European economies still dependent on Russian fuel may face renewed supply uncertainty.
Details of a possible settlement remain vague. Kremlin officials have not outlined terms, and senior U.S. officials describe Trump as “could be receptive” without confirming his commitment. China has not issued an official statement confirming participation, leaving the diplomatic calculus unsettled.
Excluding Kyiv would raise questions of legitimacy. International law and diplomatic norms generally require the parties directly involved to negotiate. Bypassing Zelensky could diminish the credibility of any agreement, complicate aid delivery and limit Ukraine’s leverage in post‑war reconstruction. Conversely, a Moscow‑led framework might open new channels for de‑escalation, especially if it addresses energy security.
The APEC summit will be the first concrete test. Observers will watch whether the three leaders hold private talks, issue a joint statement or simply acknowledge the discussions in passing. Regardless of the outcome, the episode highlights how shifting U.S. policy, Russian diplomatic outreach and China’s growing ambition converge on a single, uncertain crossroads for the Ukraine conflict.