BEIJING — China has confirmed for the first time that it is discussing a meeting of the leaders of China, Russia and the United States, a three way gathering that could take place this month on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, according to the Associated Press.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a press briefing in Beijing this week that China is in communication with relevant parties regarding a meeting between the three heads of state. She gave no date, agenda or format, and Beijing has announced no final decision. The APEC leaders summit is set for November 18 and 19 in Shenzhen, and China hosts this year’s meeting of the 21 member grouping, which includes both the United States and Russia.
If it happens, the meeting would be a first. Presidents Xi Jinping, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have met in pairs many times, but never in one room together. The Financial Times reported that officials from the three countries had held quiet talks for about two weeks on arranging it, and that Putin first proposed the format in a phone call with Trump on October 9, with ending the war in Ukraine at the center of his pitch.
Trump is expected to travel to Shenzhen and to meet Xi for the third time this year, at a moment when the trade truce between Washington and Beijing is due to expire in January. American officials have pressed China this week to fully carry out its trade commitments on farm goods, rare earths and critical minerals. Trump has said he would like to talk with Xi and Putin about nuclear arms control.
Experts quoted by the AP were careful about what such a meeting could deliver. With the three countries’ interests pulling in different directions, on Ukraine, trade and arms control, several analysts said the gathering might produce a carefully staged photo more than any agreement. Russia, they said, would likely use the meeting to move Washington and Beijing closer to its view of how the Ukraine war should end, while Ukraine itself would not be at the table.
Why it matters is the signal. A joint meeting of the three leaders would show China presenting itself as the host and broker at the center of world diplomacy, weeks after an election that changed the balance of power in Washington. Even a meeting with no deal would set the tone for talks on trade and Ukraine going into the new year.
What happens next will be decided in the days before leaders land in Shenzhen. Officials must settle whether there is one joint meeting or a series of two way talks, and whether Putin attends in person. Ukraine, Russia and the United States are also due to hold separate three way peace talks in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11, which could shape whatever the leaders discuss in China.
Sources: Associated Press, with reporting by Xinhua, AFP and the Financial Times.
