The key facts

  • China's Foreign Ministry: the position on the Ukrainian crisis is unchanged, China will continue to facilitate talks, but there is no information about a trilateral meeting
  • Trump said he is open to a meeting with Putin and Xi; the main topic is nuclear disarmament, not Ukraine
  • Putin, according to reports, proposed a summit at APEC in Shenzhen on November 18–19; Peskov confirmed discussions, but no agreements

Beijing confirms readiness to facilitate a settlement

China said on Wednesday that it will continue to play an active role in advancing talks on settling the conflict in Ukraine. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular briefing in Beijing that China's position on the Ukrainian crisis remains 'unchanged,' and Beijing will continue to promote talks on a 'political settlement of the crisis.' At the same time, she said she has no information regarding the proposed 'trilateral meeting.'

Trump floated a meeting with Xi and Putin

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he is open to a meeting with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, although he did not agree to hold such a summit. According to him, the main subject of the meeting would be nuclear disarmament, not Ukraine. Trump also said he would do everything possible to end the war — regardless of whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky takes part.

Possible venue and timing of the summit

According to available reports, Putin proposed holding a trilateral summit on the sidelines of the APEC meeting in Shenzhen (China) on November 18–19. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that a possible meeting is being discussed, but noted that no agreements have been reached on its agenda or format.