Trump open to Putin-Xi summit but would focus on denuclearisation

· Politics · United States · Russia

US President Donald Trump said he would be willing to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, possibly during next month's APEC summit in China, but indicated his focus would be denuclearisation rather than ending the war in Ukraine. The Wall Street Journal reported that Putin had proposed the three-way summit on Ukraine. Ukraine's foreign minister said such a summit would encourage Putin to prolong the war, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Trump of pressing Kyiv to surrender. Kremlin hawks were described as savouring the Trump-Zelenskyy rift, though Moscow has not declared a win. Trump also said someone other than Zelenskyy should negotiate on Ukraine's behalf.

Why it matters：Any summit that sidelines Kyiv would reshape the diplomatic path to ending Europe's largest war and test the durability of Western support for Ukraine.

Key points

  • Putin reportedly proposed the summit, possibly at next month's APEC meeting in China
  • Trump said talks would centre on denuclearisation, which he called positive for the world
  • Kyiv warned a three-way summit would only prolong the war

Sources (original reporting)

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