U.S. President Donald Trump has raised the prospect of a high-stakes trilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during his Asia trip. Speaking on Sunday, Trump indicated that he expects to meet the two world leaders in Shenzhen, China, to address a wide range of global issues, including nuclear denuclearization and the war in Ukraine.
Proposed Agenda and Diplomatic Intentions
The proposed Trump Xi Putin meeting stems from an initiative originally floated by the Russian president. Edgard Kagan, a senior advisor and chair of China studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), stated in a press briefing that the concept was initially raised by Putin to signal a willingness for high-level dialogue.
From the American perspective, Washington aims to use the potential talks to advance a settlement to the war in Ukraine and push for trilateral nuclear arms control. While Moscow appears open to discussing both nuclear weapons and the Ukrainian conflict, experts note that Russia’s primary objective remains focused on negotiations surrounding Ukraine.
Beijing’s Caution and Strategic Hesitation
Despite interest from Washington and Moscow, Beijing remains cautious about committing to a three-way summit. China has long resisted participation in multi-nation nuclear arms control agreements and has avoided taking a binding role in resolving the European conflict.
Foreign policy analysts note that Chinese leaders are wary of the strategic implications of such a gathering. Hal Brands, an international security analyst, highlighted that Beijing would likely only proceed with the meeting if assured it would not force China into concrete commitments on arms control or Ukraine. As diplomatic discussions continue around Trump’s broader regional tour, the feasibility and final substance of the proposed Shenzhen meeting remain uncertain.
