Moscow says Putin, Trump and Xi preparing possible three-way talks at APEC summit in Shenzhen
Russian official Yuri Ushakov says Moscow, Beijing and Washington are in principle ready for a three-way meeting between Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the November APEC summit in Shenzhen, with preparations under way.
Preparations have begun for a possible three‑way meeting between Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping on the margins of next month’s APEC summit in Shenzhen, according to a senior Russian official.
On 25 October, Yuri Ushakov, an assistant to Russia’s supreme leader, said work was under way on organizing talks among the three figures. He described Moscow, Beijing and Washington as “in principle” ready for discussions during the APEC gathering scheduled for 18–19 November in the Chinese city of Shenzhen.
Ushakov did not spell out the format of any encounter. It could range from a short pull‑aside conversation to more structured talks, and there has been no parallel confirmation from U.S. or Chinese officials in the material available so far.
Even at the level of planning, however, the idea of bringing the Russian, Chinese and U.S. leaders together in one setting during APEC highlights how all three capitals view the summit as a venue for high‑stakes diplomacy.
For Moscow, flagging the effort signals that it sees value in presenting Russia as actively engaged in major international discussions despite ongoing sanctions and war. Beijing, as host, has an interest in showcasing its ability to convene top‑level meetings on its own territory. Washington’s stance will be judged by whether it agrees to participate in such a format and how prominently it features it in official schedules.
The agenda of any three‑way exchange has not been detailed in Ushakov’s comments. But the wars Russia is involved in, sanctions regimes, and broader questions of economic cooperation and competition are likely to form the backdrop.
What will clarify the picture in the coming weeks are concrete steps: official programs released by China for the APEC summit, announcements or omissions in U.S. and Russian travel plans, and any statements that define whether this remains an option under discussion or is set as a firm meeting on the Shenzhen calendar.
Sources
- OSINT