Trump says he’s ready to meet Xi, Putin on the sidelines of the APEC summit: What’s on the agenda?

US President Donald Trump has signaled his willingness to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the upcoming APEC summit in Beijing, but emphasized that the primary focus would be on denuclearization efforts rather than ending the conflict in Ukraine. Trump stated that the meeting could take place in China, potentially during his visit in November.

While there is no official confirmation of a three-way meeting, sources suggest that Putin proposed the idea to China, and Beijing has expressed willingness, contingent on Trump's involvement. The proposed meeting would mark a significant step for Xi in elevating China's diplomatic role as a mediator. Trump has recently softened his stance on Russia, announcing a deal for Russian diesel supplies to the US.

However, his criticism of Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has intensified, accusing him of not doing enough to end the war. The possibility of a three-way meeting remains unconfirmed, and Xi will need to decide whether to support the proposal amid concerns over the growing alliance between China, Russia, and the US.