Putin proposes meeting with Trump; Xi’s participation uncertain
The proposal was raised during talks with Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg.
Follow-up to: Zelensky wants seat at possible summit talks Tuesday, 20 October 2026, 22:12
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Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed during talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff that he meet Donald Trump in China. Chinese President Xi Jinping could also attend such talks, but no summit has yet been agreed.
Putin received Witkoff in St Petersburg on Wednesday for talks about the war in Ukraine. According to Reuters, a possible meeting between Putin and Trump in China was discussed. Russian state media reported that Putin is prepared for such talks if the agenda is agreed in advance.
The proposal follows earlier reports of possible talks during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which will be held in China in November. Trump has previously said he would be open to a meeting with Putin and Xi, but he placed different emphasis on it from Moscow: according to earlier reports, Trump mainly wanted to discuss nuclear disarmament.
The talks in St Petersburg were part of a new American attempt to make progress in negotiations over Ukraine. Witkoff had previously held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to American and Ukrainian statements, the resumption of direct talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States is under consideration.
The possible summit does not mean that a peace agreement is in sight. Russia and Ukraine still differ over the conditions for ending the war. It is also unclear what role Ukraine would have in any talks between Putin, Trump and Xi. That makes the composition of the proposed summit politically sensitive.
The American president has again urged a swift settlement in recent days, while Kyiv is trying to prevent decisions about Ukraine being made without Ukrainian participation. European governments are therefore watching the talks closely. An agreement on the war would have direct consequences for European security, support for Ukraine and the future relationship between Russia and the West.
For now, this is a proposal rather than a confirmed meeting. The Russian government has said that a meeting is possible, while Washington and Beijing have not yet announced definitive participation or an agenda. It is also not known whether Kyiv would be involved in any meeting.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Putin spoke with US envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg on 21 October.
- During those talks, according to Reuters, a possible meeting between Putin and Trump in China was discussed.
- Trump has previously said he would be open to a trilateral meeting with Putin and Xi Jinping.
- A summit, agenda and Ukraine’s participation have not yet been definitively established.
Left
Arguments A peace process must place Ukraine at its centre and must not be determined by three great powers without the government in Kyiv. Diplomacy is desirable, but only if Ukraine’s sovereignty and security guarantees come first.
Values International law, self-determination and protection of a country under attack.
Consequences Talks without Ukraine could reward Russia for aggression and encourage future conflicts; Kyiv’s participation could make an agreement more difficult but more durable.
Centre
Arguments A conversation between Trump, Putin and Xi could be useful as an initial diplomatic channel, but it must be linked to talks with Ukraine and European countries. The institutional preference is for a broad and verifiable negotiating process.
Values Stability, feasibility and the involvement of the parties directly concerned.
Consequences A limited summit could create momentum, but without a follow-up structure and verifiable agreements, the chance of a lasting accord remains small.
Right
Arguments The United States should use its negotiating power to bring the war to an end quickly, and European allies should take on more responsibility. A high-level summit could prevent the war from continuing indefinitely.
Values National security, deterrence, decisive government action and lower costs of prolonged support.
Consequences A swift deal could save lives and resources, but an agreement that gives Russia too much leeway could weaken European security in the longer term.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s central claim is confirmed by AP and Reuters. Unconfirmed elements are explicitly described as possible or not yet agreed.
- confirmed Putin proposed a meeting with Trump in China during talks with Steve Witkoff. — Reported by Reuters and confirmed in coverage of the talks. source
- confirmed Witkoff spoke with Putin in St Petersburg on 21 October. — The Associated Press describes the meeting and its location. source
- confirmed Trump has previously said he would be open to a trilateral meeting with Putin and Xi. — Reuters reported this based on Trump’s earlier response. source
- confirmed Any meeting has not yet been definitively agreed. — The sources describe a proposal and possible meeting, not a scheduled summit. source
- confirmed Ukraine’s role in any meeting remains unclear. — The sources consulted do not confirm Ukrainian participation in the proposed summit. source
Editor's note
It is certain that Putin proposed a meeting with Trump in China during talks with Witkoff. The date, agenda, Xi’s participation and Ukraine’s role have not yet been confirmed.Sources
The story so far
- Tuesday, 20 October 2026, 22:12 Zelensky wants seat at possible summit talks
- Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 14:11 Putin proposes meeting with Trump; Xi’s participation uncertain (this article)
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