Possible Trilateral Meeting of US, China, and Russia Discussed

Amid ongoing discussions about a potential trilateral summit involving United States President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian officials have provided insights on Moscow's position regarding these talks. On September 6, Sergei Ryabkov, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, spoke about the feasibility of such a meeting, indicating that Moscow is open to this possibility. This dialogue comes during concurrent visits by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv, aimed at progressing negotiations concerning the conflict in Ukraine.

Ryabkov highlighted that, while Moscow has not dismissed the idea of a meeting involving the three leaders, there are essential elements to consider before any formal preparations are initiated. Addressing the subject of the agenda for the potential talks, Ryabkov stated, "Here, the main question boils down to how the substance of the meeting will be formulated, and what we can expect as a result," according to Russian state news agency TASS.

These comments follow a statement made by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, who noted earlier in the week that discussions about a possible meeting had taken place between Putin and Xi during their talks at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Ushakov confirmed on state television that the discussion around this trilateral meeting was indeed on the table, suggesting that all three leaders are expected to attend the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China, scheduled for November 18-19.

Ushakov explained, "Xi Jinping mentioned that Donald Trump would be attending, and Vladimir Putin would likely be attending as an invitee. If things go as planned, a meeting between the three of them could be arranged or, at the very least, a meeting with everyone would be a must."

It is noteworthy that Russia, China, and the United States are significant members of the 21 economies participating in APEC. However, as of now, the White House has not confirmed President Trump's attendance at the forthcoming summit. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly commented, "We have no announcements regarding President Trump’s attendance at APEC at this time."

This potential gathering of the three leaders, if realised, would represent a significant moment in international diplomacy, given the current geopolitical climate and the stakes involved in US, Chinese, and Russian relations.