Putin Proposes Trilateral Summit With Trump and Xi on Ukraine; Kyiv Excluded

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a trilateral summit with US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss ending the Ukraine war, a move that could sideline Kyiv from negotiations over its own future. The proposal, floated during an October 9 phone call with Trump, suggests holding the meeting on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, in November. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there is no clear understanding yet on the meeting or its agenda, while a senior US official said Trump has not agreed but could be receptive. The initiative comes amid renewed diplomatic maneuvering, with Moscow seeking to capitalize on improving ties with Washington and elevate China's role as a potential mediator. However, Ukraine's exclusion raises concerns about a lasting peace, while ongoing energy discussions and continued fighting on multiple fronts complicate efforts.