China confirms contact on Xi and Putin, not Trump
Beijing confirms contact over a meeting between Xi and Putin, but does not explicitly mention three-way talks with Trump.
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China says it is communicating with the parties involved about a possible meeting between President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Beijing does not confirm a joint meeting with US President Donald Trump, while Russia is pushing for one.
The possible summit emerged in statements from Beijing and Moscow on Tuesday. According to reports, Russia wants talks between Putin, Xi and Trump during the APEC meeting in Shenzhen on 18 and 19 November. The Kremlin has mentioned the possibility before; for now, China speaks only of contact between the Chinese and Russian leaders.
A trilateral meeting would take place against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, tensions between Washington and Beijing, and the war involving Iran. No agenda or formal invitation for all three leaders has yet been confirmed.
China’s restraint is politically significant. Beijing confirms communication with the parties involved, but omits the American element from its public response. It therefore remains unclear whether China supports three-way talks, is preparing only bilateral discussions, or wants to leave room for a later decision.
The APEC summit does provide an existing international occasion at which the three leaders could meet. The Associated Press previously reported that Xi would meet Trump again during the summit in Shenzhen. That reporting on Xi and Trump does not confirm three-way talks.
For Europe, the possible impact on Ukraine and global trade is particularly important. Talks could open diplomatic channels, but a summit in itself says nothing about an agreement. Without confirmed participants, an agenda and an outcome, it is too early to speak of a peace initiative.
Also show the region and a close-up
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Russia mentions possible talks between Xi, Putin and Trump.
- China confirms communication about a meeting between Xi and Putin.
- An earlier source reported planned follow-up contact between Xi and Trump during APEC.
- There is still no confirmed agenda or outcome.
Left
Arguments Sees talks as necessary to limit escalation in Ukraine and the Middle East, but warns that major powers must not decide over the heads of smaller countries.
Values Diplomacy, the international legal order and the involvement of the countries concerned.
Consequences Expects potentially less military escalation, but fears an agreement that puts pressure on Ukraine or other countries.
Centre
Arguments Emphasises that direct contact can be useful, but that results depend on a concrete agenda and the participation of the countries being discussed.
Values Pragmatism, institutional diplomacy and verifiable agreements.
Consequences Sees a summit primarily as a channel for crisis management, not as proof that conflicts are being resolved.
Right
Arguments Emphasises that leaders at the highest level can impose clarity and that the United States should use its influence.
Values National security, the balance of power and negotiating leverage.
Consequences Fears that Russia and China will form a united front if Washington is absent or too accommodating.
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 text clearly distinguishes between Russian plans, Chinese communication and previously confirmed bilateral arrangements. No summit is presented as a certainty.
- confirmed Russia is pushing for talks between Putin, Xi and Trump in November. — Reported by The Irish Times based on statements from Russia and China. source
- confirmed China confirms communication about Xi and Putin, but not explicitly about Trump. — The same source describes the Chinese wording. source
- confirmed Xi and Trump are expected to meet again during the APEC summit in Shenzhen. — The Associated Press reported an invitation and announced follow-up contact. source
Editor's note
Possible three-way talks have not been confirmed. China confirms only communication about a meeting between Xi and Putin; the APEC meeting between Xi and Trump was announced earlier.Sources
- US, China and Russia discuss possible meeting between Trump, Xi and Putin — The Irish Times
- Xi says he'll see Trump again soon as he wraps up US visit — Associated Press
More on this in Dutch media
- AD — „china rusland”
- de Volkskrant — „china rusland”
- RTL Nieuws — „china rusland”