By Sohaib Shams
US, Chinese and Russian officials are actively preparing for a possible trilateral summit when Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping attend the APEC economic cooperation forum in Shenzhen later this month, according to reports from the Financial Times and Reuters. It would be the first ever meeting between all three leaders.
Preparations and Statements
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday there is a general understanding among participants that such a meeting would be appropriate and highly useful. Trump indicated in October he would be open to three-way talks on arms control with Xi and Putin, adding they could also discuss trade. The White House has been weighing a meeting focused on denuclearisation on the sidelines of the APEC summit, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Nuclear Arms Control Focus
Russia possesses the largest stockpile of stored nuclear warheads, followed by the United States and China, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Trump said on October 19 that a trilateral meeting would address nuclear weapons and denuclearisation, and he would participate if Xi agreed.
Ukraine Conflict and Economic Cooperation
Putin has pitched using a trilateral meeting to negotiate an end to the four-year-old conflict in Ukraine on terms favourable to Moscow, the Wall Street Journal reported. However, Moscow does not expect substantive talks on Ukraine during the November 18-19 summit, anticipating China does not want a leading mediation role. The Kremlin has also signalled Europe should be included in any Ukraine peace talks. Putin last month suggested a meeting with Trump in China and offered to discuss restoring economic cooperation between Moscow and Washington.
Uncertainties and European Concerns
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Xi appeared confused when asked about a possible trilateral summit during their meeting in China last week. A three-way meeting would raise alarm from Europe to Asia over private deals weakening Washington's other alliances. Trump has recently moved to warm ties with Putin, announcing a diesel-fuel deal and waiving key sanctions, while also seeking stable relations with Xi.
