Putin Proposes Three-Way Summit With Trump and Xi, Excluding Zelensky

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a trilateral summit with U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, excluding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, to end the war in Ukraine on Moscow's terms, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing sources including a former Russian intelligence officer. The proposal was raised during an Oct. 9 phone call, during which Trump also agreed to allow Russian diesel exports to ease global oil prices ahead of U.S. midterm elections, and later waived congressionally approved sanctions on Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed discussions, while a senior U.S. official said Trump hasn't committed but may be open, given his campaign pledge to end the war quickly. Russia has suggested holding the meeting alongside the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, on Nov. 18-19, with Putin reportedly envisioning a "second Yalta Conference" to redraw global influence. Trump has also urged Ukraine to halt drone strikes on Russian refineries, though energy experts cite the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz closure as primary drivers of diesel price surges.