Trump Open to Three-Way Summit With Putin and Xi as Nuclear Arms and Ukraine War Dominate Talks

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President Donald Trump expressed willingness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November, potentially bringing the leaders together for discussions on nuclear weapons and the war in Ukraine.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

President Donald Trump said Monday, Oct. 19, that he would consider participating in a three-way summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, raising the possibility of high-level negotiations on nuclear arms control and the continuing war in Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump identified reducing nuclear weapons as a potential priority for the meeting, which Russian officials have suggested could take place during next month’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China.

“We would have it to talk about nuclear weapons and denuclearization,” Trump said. “If President Xi wants to have it, I’d have it.”

The remarks followed reports that Putin had proposed the trilateral meeting during an Oct. 9 telephone conversation with Trump.

The Kremlin acknowledged Monday that the possibility had been discussed but emphasized that no arrangements had been finalized.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Putin proposed bringing the three leaders together to explore a settlement to Russia’s war against Ukraine. The proposal would potentially allow Moscow to pursue negotiations with Washington and Beijing without Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy participating.

The possibility of excluding Ukraine has raised concerns about whether discussions involving the three major powers could undermine Kyiv’s position in future peace negotiations.

Ukrainian officials have consistently maintained that any agreement determining the country’s territory, security arrangements or political future must include Ukraine’s participation.

Although Trump has indicated an interest in the proposal, neither Washington nor Beijing has announced a formal commitment to a trilateral summit.

The proposed gathering would bring together the leaders of three countries possessing substantial nuclear capabilities at a time when longstanding arms-control arrangements have weakened.

The United States and Russia maintain the world’s largest nuclear arsenals, while China has significantly expanded and modernized its nuclear forces.

The New START treaty, which limited deployed strategic nuclear weapons held by Washington and Moscow, expired in February 2026 without a replacement agreement.

Trump has expressed interest in pursuing broader arms-control negotiations involving China, arguing that the expansion of Beijing’s nuclear arsenal makes trilateral discussions increasingly important.

However, Chinese officials have historically resisted joining nuclear reduction agreements with the United States and Russia, maintaining that China’s arsenal remains substantially smaller.

Beijing has argued that Washington and Moscow should first make deeper reductions to their own stockpiles before expecting China to accept comparable restrictions.

Trump’s willingness to discuss denuclearization does not establish that any of the three governments has agreed to new limits or a formal negotiating framework.

The proposed summit would also occur amid continuing economic and military disagreements between Washington and Beijing.

Trade tensions have involved tariffs, access to Chinese markets and restrictions on exports of strategically important materials, particularly rare-earth minerals used in military equipment, automobiles and advanced electronics.

Taiwan remains another major source of friction.

China claims sovereignty over the self-governing island and has repeatedly objected to American weapons sales and other security cooperation with Taipei.

The United States maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan and supports its ability to defend itself, while opposing unilateral changes to the status quo.

Washington and Beijing also disagree over China’s economic relationship with Iran, including energy purchases and other commercial activities affected by American sanctions.

Those disputes could complicate negotiations even if Xi agrees to participate in a broader diplomatic gathering.

Meanwhile, Trump’s relationship with Putin has attracted renewed attention following recent changes in American sanctions and energy policy toward Russia.

The administration announced an agreement this month involving Russian diesel purchases as part of efforts to address high domestic fuel prices.

Trump also signed an executive order Friday waiving certain sanctions provisions targeting countries involved in Russian energy transactions.

The decisions prompted criticism from Ukrainian officials and some American lawmakers concerned that easing economic pressure could strengthen Moscow’s position during negotiations.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022, has continued for more than four years, with both sides remaining divided over territorial control and the conditions necessary for a ceasefire.

Putin has sought international recognition of Russian territorial claims, while Ukraine has demanded security guarantees and opposed arrangements that would compromise its sovereignty.

A summit involving Trump, Putin and Xi could provide an opportunity to explore diplomatic options, but it would also raise questions about China’s role in negotiations and whether Ukraine would be directly represented.

Beijing has maintained diplomatic and economic relations with Moscow while presenting itself as a potential participant in efforts to resolve the conflict.

Western officials have questioned whether China could serve as a neutral mediator given its close relationship with Russia.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, scheduled for Nov. 18-19 in Shenzhen, provides a possible setting for the three leaders to meet without arranging a separate international conference.

Kremlin officials said the idea remained under consideration, with no agreed agenda, meeting format or schedule.

Trump’s comments suggest that nuclear arms control could become a central topic if the proposal advances, even though Putin’s reported objective focuses more directly on Ukraine.

The two priorities are closely connected to broader questions about international security, military competition and relations among the world’s major nuclear powers.

For now, the prospective summit remains a diplomatic possibility rather than a confirmed event.

Whether it proceeds will depend on agreement among Washington, Moscow and Beijing over the meeting’s purpose, participants and agenda, as well as the extent to which discussions about Ukraine could occur without the participation of its government.