Putin wants to meet Trump and Xi to discuss a deal on Ukraine – WSJ
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has proposed that he, US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping meet next month to discuss Ukraine, with the aim of ending Russia's war against Ukraine on terms favourable to Moscow.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the discussions
Quote from the WSJ: "The plan represents an effort by Putin to capitalise on warming ties between Trump and the Russian leader that have alarmed Ukraine and its allies in Washington and Europe. Such a summit – one without the involvement of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy – would be unprecedented and send alarm bells ringing in European capitals and beyond."
Details: According to a former Russian intelligence official familiar with the matter, Putin floated the idea during a phone call with Trump on 9 October. The two sides also reached an agreement during that call on the purchase of Russian diesel fuel by the US and efforts to facilitate its sale on the global market.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that discussions about a possible meeting were under way.
"There is no clear understanding yet regarding the meeting itself or its potential agenda, although all three parties acknowledge the hypothetical possibility of such a meeting taking place," he told the WSJ.
A senior US official said Trump had not yet agreed to hold such a summit. However, the official noted that the US president might view the idea favourably given his desire to fulfil his campaign promise to end the war.
According to sources cited by the WSJ, the Kremlin proposed holding the trilateral talks on the sidelines of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, scheduled for 18-19 November in Shenzhen, a technology hub in southern China.
"A potential three-way dialogue on Chinese soil would mark a big step for Xi in his efforts to elevate China's role as a diplomatic power broker, said analysts who study China. Russian officials proposed the idea to Beijing through diplomatic channels and the Chinese side has indicated it wouldn't object if Trump is on board, said other people close to recent discussions between Moscow and Beijing," the WSJ wrote.
The WSJ noted that the White House had declined to comment, while the Chinese Embassy in Washington had not responded to a request for comment.
Background:
- Trump accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of never having wanted to end Russia's war against Ukraine.
- Zelenskyy previously accused Trump of trying to pressure Ukraine into capitulating to Russia and delaying deliveries of interceptor missiles for Patriot air defence systems.
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