Trump, Xi and Putin to Hold Historic Trilateral Meeting at APEC Summit in China

United States President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to hold an unprecedented three-way meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China, next Thursday, November 19.

The White House confirmed the planned meeting on Friday, November 13, describing it as a significant diplomatic engagement involving the leaders of the world’s three major nuclear powers.

The gathering, which is expected to take place during the November 18–19 APEC summit, is likely to focus on nuclear arms reduction, international security and the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran.

According to reports by the Associated Press, a senior US official said the meeting would provide an opportunity to begin discussions on nuclear disarmament, although no formal agreement is expected to emerge from the talks.

Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in negotiating a new nuclear arms control agreement involving the United States, Russia and China.

The development comes after the expiration of the New START treaty between Washington and Moscow in February 2026, bringing an end to the last major agreement placing limits on the nuclear arsenals of the two countries.

Trump has argued that any future agreement should include China, whose nuclear arsenal is significantly smaller than those of the United States and Russia.

However, Beijing has shown little enthusiasm for joining such an arrangement, maintaining that its nuclear capabilities remain considerably below those of the other two powers.

The proposed meeting also comes against the background of strained international relations, particularly over the war in Iran and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

While Trump has indicated interest in discussing ways to end the conflict involving Iran, US officials have suggested that the Ukraine war is not expected to be a central issue at the trilateral discussions.

The planned gathering is also politically significant for Putin, who could use the opportunity to strengthen Russia’s international standing and demonstrate his country’s continued influence despite tensions with Western governments.

For Chinese President Xi Jinping, hosting the meeting offers an opportunity to showcase Beijing’s growing diplomatic influence and its position as a major player in global affairs.

However, analysts have cautioned against expecting immediate breakthroughs, suggesting that the meeting could carry more symbolic than practical significance.

The proposed talks have also raised concerns in Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressing apprehension that discussions about his country’s future could take place without Kyiv’s participation.

The three leaders have held several bilateral meetings over the years, but bringing them together for a joint discussion would represent a rare diplomatic moment with potentially significant implications for global security and international relations.

The APEC summit, which brings together 21 member economies, is scheduled to take place in Shenzhen on November 18 and 19.