Russian President Vladimir Putin wants a Trump-Xi summit to discuss the future of Ukraine — without President Zelenskyy, according to a new report.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Putin proposed talks between the three leaders in November to negotiate an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on terms favorable to Putin.
Putin June 2026 Kremlin Photo Handout.
Putin in October 2021 Creative Commons Photo
According to a former Russian intelligence officer, the Russian president broached the idea during a phone call with Trump earlier this month.
The meeting would not include Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, who may have little say in the matter, even though the conflict is taking place on his territory.
Putin Seeks Three-Way Meeting in China
Putin wants the proposed meetings to take place in China, where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit is set to occur November 18-19 in Shenzhen.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that no agreement had been reached on either the meeting or its agenda.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Peskov said that “no specific proposals or agreements were discussed or put forward by anyone.”
A senior administration official told the Journal that while Trump was not on board, he might accept the invitation.
The Journal noted that Putin would like to make this meeting the equivalent of the Yalta Conference, where Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Josef Stalin met to decide the future of Europe after World War II.
A former Russian intelligence officer briefed on the matter made that comparison.
Trump Eases Economic Pressure on Russia
The proposal comes as Trump combats criticism that his presidential actions have eased economic pressure on Russia.
On October 16, Trump signed an executive order exempting most of the Graham Act — a bipartisan measure targeting Russian banks, officials, energy shipments and businesses that supported the invasion of Ukraine — from being enforced.
The administration cited U.S. national interests as the reason.
Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev welcomed the move as an “important and truly historic moment”.
Trump also announced that the United States would allow Russian diesel imports, hoping to lower energy prices, which spiked due to ongoing global conflicts.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said the two sides were continuing commercial talks.
“Once the contracts are signed, the fuel will reach the markets — in this case, the US markets — within 15 to 20 days,” he said. It remains unclear when such contracts will be signed.
Trump Slammed for Easing Sanctions
Many U.S. politicians worry these executive orders will simply bolster Moscow’s war chest.
Twelve senators, including six Republicans, criticized the easing of sanctions as a “gift to our adversary” which “should be rescinded.”
Senator Darline Graham, whose late brother Lindsey was the sponsor of the resolution, was quoted by The Philadelphia Inquirer as saying, “Personally, I would choose to put the pressure on Russia to end the war and get gas prices down.”
“I am in the process of negotiating Peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine,” Trump noted in a social media post over the weekend, adding that he did not wish to “do anything that will drive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table.” Trump wrote in a Sunday tweet.
Trump also accused Zelenskyy of preventing a ceasefire in Ukraine, writing that “he doesn’t want to end this war, and probably never did.”
Zelenskyy: We Have Always Been Open to Peace
President Zelenskyy of Ukraine pushed back on Trump’s accusations on Monday, arguing that Kyiv had always been open to peace talks.
“Ukraine has responded positively to EVERY ceasefire proposal,” said Zelenskyy. “The reality is that the war continues, and it continues solely because of Russian strikes and Russia’s desire to drag this war out.”
A huge Russian ballistic missile attack on Ukraine killed a 21-year-old woman and damaged power facilities throughout the country on Monday.
Zelenskyy warned that it would be “a historic mistake and a big tragedy” if Washington continued to appear to concede to Moscow.
The Ukrainian leader has also said Washington is moving too slowly to supply it with much-needed air defenses.
“We have paid for the weapons,” he noted last week, including anti-ballistic missile interceptors. “A part of the supplies has been authorized… while the rest haven’t been. And this is not a technical issue,” Zelenskyy told Bloomberg.
On Monday, United 24 Media said Washington was supplying Kyiv with just 12 long-range interceptors a month.
Supplies had been four times higher under the Biden Administration.
About the Author: Georgia Gilholy
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics.
