Trump, Xi and Putin to Meet at APEC Summit
US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to hold an unprecedented trilateral meeting in Shenzhen, China, on November 19. The White House confirmed the plans on Friday, November 13, with discussions expected to focus on nuclear arms control, the Iran conflict and broader relations between the three powers.
Trump, Xi and Putin to Meet at APEC Summit in China
The three leaders will meet on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, bringing together the heads of the world’s three major nuclear powers.
The planned gathering comes amid tensions over Russia’s war in Ukraine, American military operations against Iran and differences between Washington and Beijing.
US officials have indicated that the meeting will serve as an initial diplomatic engagement rather than produce an immediate agreement.
Trump Seeks New Nuclear Arms Control Agreement
Trump wants to negotiate a new nuclear arms agreement involving the United States, Russia and China following the expiration of the New START treaty in February 2026.
The United States and Russia each possess more than 5,000 nuclear warheads, while China’s arsenal is estimated at over 600.
Beijing has previously shown limited interest in joining a trilateral nuclear agreement, citing the substantial difference between its stockpile and those of Washington and Moscow.
Ukraine and Iran Conflicts Complicate Diplomatic Talks
Trump is expected to discuss the Iran conflict during the meeting, while Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed concern about potential discussions concerning his country without Kyiv’s participation.
However, American officials have indicated that negotiations over Ukraine are not on the formal agenda.
The meeting could also overshadow the wider APEC summit, which brings together 21 economies to discuss trade, investment and regional cooperation.
