Putin proposes Putin-Trump-Xi summit on Ukraine, excluding Zelensky

Vladimir Putin has proposed a trilateral summit with Donald Trump and Xi Jinping to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, excluding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from the talks. The Kremlin aims to bring the peace process directly under Moscow, Washington, and Beijing's control. The proposal was reportedly made during an October 9 phone call between Putin and Trump, according to the Wall Street Journal. The same conversation allegedly included an agreement on US purchases of Russian diesel and the suspension of some sanctions, signaling closer ties between the two leaders. The summit could occur on the sidelines of the APEC forum in China in November, but Trump has not yet accepted the offer. The initiative comes amid Trump's growing criticism of Zelensky and Xi's potential diplomatic gains and risks with Europe.