New Delhi: The possibility of three of the world’s most powerful leaders meeting under one roof has sparked international attention, with China confirming that discussions are underway for a potential meeting between US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping this month.
The proposed meeting could take place in Shenzhen on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ summit. However, the dates and official schedule have yet to be finalised. If confirmed, the gathering would mark a significant diplomatic moment, although expectations of a major breakthrough remain limited.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters in Beijing that consultations with the relevant parties were continuing regarding a possible meeting of the three leaders. APEC comprises 21 economies, including the United States, Russia and China.
Trump-Xi Meeting May Focus on Trade
Trump is also expected to visit Shenzhen, where he could meet Xi Jinping for the third time this year. Trade relations are likely to feature prominently in their discussions, particularly as the temporary trade understanding between Washington and Beijing is due to expire in January.
Despite the arrangement, economic tensions between the two countries remain unresolved. On Friday, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer held a video conversation with Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng, urging Beijing to take concrete steps to fulfil earlier commitments involving agricultural purchases, rare earths and other critical minerals.
Ukraine War and Nuclear Arms Control on Agenda
Trump has indicated an interest in discussing nuclear arms control with Xi and Putin during his China visit. Putin, meanwhile, may seek to raise the Ukraine conflict, potentially pushing for discussions that exclude Kyiv from the negotiating process.
Former US State Department official Danny Russel, who served during the Obama administration, believes Putin could emerge as the biggest beneficiary of the proposed gathering. Sharing a platform with the American and Chinese presidents would offer the Russian leader a valuable diplomatic opportunity and international visibility.
Russel also suggested that Trump may be keen on the meeting but could face advice to avoid raising the Ukraine issue during the discussions.
Will the Summit Deliver More Than a Photo Opportunity?
Analysts caution that the three countries have substantially different strategic priorities, making a major agreement difficult to achieve. China, in particular, may be reluctant to let the gathering be portrayed as an attempt by three major powers to divide global influence among themselves.
Yun Sun of the Stimson Center believes Russia could use the meeting to bring Washington and Beijing closer to its position on Ukraine. China, however, may prefer to avoid detailed negotiations on contentious issues such as Ukraine, Iran and nuclear arms control, focusing instead on projecting a message of peace and stability.
Craig Singleton of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies also sees the proposed gathering as an opportunity for Putin to secure a high-profile photograph alongside Trump and Xi. However, he believes such images no longer carry the same diplomatic significance they once did.
For now, the proposed meeting remains under discussion, with no final confirmation of the schedule. While the possibility of the three leaders appearing together has generated considerable interest, expectations of concrete outcomes on major international disputes remain cautious.
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