Beijing Weighs Risks of Possible Xi-Trump-Putin Summit
China is weighing whether to host an unprecedented meeting between Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump on the sidelines of next week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen. Beijing has not confirmed the summit, but a Chinese Foreign Ministry official said it was “in communication” with the relevant parties, while the Kremlin said coordination was under way. Trump has also said he expects one of his APEC meetings to involve Putin and Xi.
The possible encounter has already been dubbed a “new Yalta,” although no agenda has been established. Trump has mentioned Iran and denuclearization as possible topics while avoiding any reference to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Putin proposed the trilateral meeting during a call with Trump last month, and the Wall Street Journal reported that he wanted to discuss ending the war.
A joint appearance would offer Putin a major diplomatic victory after years of isolation by Ukraine’s allies, particularly during Joe Biden’s presidency. It could also create awkward optics for Trump, who would be pictured alongside the leaders of America’s main rivals. China faces the most delicate calculation: while it is closely aligned with Russia on many issues, Beijing does not want to appear tied to the invasion or undermine its efforts to portray itself as a force for global stability.
The summit could also strain China’s relations with the European Union, especially if Ukraine were discussed without Kyiv or Brussels represented. Asia policy fellow Alicja Bachulska of the European Council on Foreign Relations said Beijing’s deliberately vague statements reflected concern about the meeting’s potential political and reputational costs. Even a summit producing only a photo opportunity, she warned, could damage China’s international image.
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