Kremlin aide visits China amid speculation about potential Xi-Putin-Trump meeting

Nikolai Patrushev, a Kremlin aide and chairman of Russia’s Maritime Board, arrived in China on Thursday for a visit that has drawn attention amid speculation of a potential trilateral summit involving the United States. Patrushev is set to hold talks with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss Russian-Chinese cooperation in the maritime sector.

This marks his first visit to China in his role as chairman of the Maritime Board. The visit has gained significant attention beyond maritime affairs, as Patrushev is the first high-level Russian official to visit China since President Xi Jinping met with US President Donald Trump in Washington.

Xi and Trump have agreed to extend their countries' trade truce and work towards "constructive strategic stability," which has turned global focus to the possibility of a three-way meeting between Xi, Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the November APEC summit in Shenzhen. Putin has expressed openness to a trilateral encounter, stating that such meetings allow for an exchange of views and clarification of positions.

However, he emphasized the importance of defining an agenda for these negotiations, which will largely depend on the host, President Xi Jinping.

Chinese diplomats have also weighed in on the potential summit, with Ambassador Zhang Hanhui stating that such a meeting would be "very beneficial for the development and formation of a multipolar world," given that Russia, America, and China are UN Security Council permanent members.