Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed holding talks with US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping over the war in Ukraine, according to a report published on Monday, 19 October 2026.
The proposed meeting could take place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China, next month.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Putin raised the idea during a telephone conversation with Trump on 9 October.
The report said the Russian proposal was being discussed, but Trump had not committed to attending, and China had not publicly confirmed Xi’s participation.
No date or agreed agenda has been announced for a three-way meeting.
Russia proposes talks involving three major powers
The proposal would bring together the leaders of Russia, the United States, and China at a time when efforts to negotiate an end to the war have made limited progress.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, disagreements over occupied territory, security guarantees, and the conditions for a ceasefire have remained major obstacles to a settlement.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the possibility of a three-way meeting emerged during the 9 October conversation between Putin and Trump.
The report also described discussions surrounding the proposal involving the Kremlin and other governments.
Those contacts do not mean the three leaders have agreed to meet. The summit’s format, timing, and purpose would still need to be settled.
Why Ukraine’s participation matters
The reported proposal raises a significant diplomatic question because Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not included in the suggested three-leader format.
Ukraine has consistently argued that decisions about its territory, sovereignty, and security cannot be made without its participation.
A discussion between Washington, Moscow, and Beijing could influence the diplomatic direction of the conflict, but it would not automatically constitute an agreement accepted by Kyiv.
Any durable settlement would have to address the positions of the parties directly involved in the war, including Ukraine.
The reported format should therefore not be confused with a formally established peace negotiation or evidence that Ukraine has been excluded from all future talks.
China’s possible diplomatic role
China maintains close relations with Russia while presenting itself as a supporter of a negotiated political settlement to the conflict.
Its participation in a meeting with Trump and Putin could give Beijing a more prominent role in discussions over European security.
It could also bring diplomatic complications. European governments have expressed concerns about Russia’s war and the international support available to Moscow.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Beijing had shown tentative openness to the proposal, subject to further developments, while remaining cautious about the potential consequences.
That reported private position is not the same as a public commitment by Xi or an official Chinese announcement of a summit.
Why the APEC meeting is relevant
China is scheduled to host the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen on 18 and 19 November.
The dates are confirmed by APEC’s official schedule and a Chinese government announcement.
The gathering provides a possible opportunity for leaders attending the event to hold separate diplomatic discussions.
However, the fact that APEC is scheduled does not confirm that the proposed meeting on Ukraine will take place.
Any bilateral or three-way talks would require separate agreement on participation and arrangements.
Diplomatic tensions remain
The proposal comes amid strains in relations between Washington and Kyiv, alongside ongoing military operations in Ukraine.
Recent reporting has also described US-Russia contacts involving energy supplies and sanctions policy.
Those developments provide context for the diplomatic discussions but do not establish that Moscow, Washington and Beijing are close to agreeing on terms to end the war.
Major differences remain over territory, security arrangements, and the conditions under which fighting might stop.
The involvement of additional powers could create opportunities for discussion, but it could also complicate negotiations if the countries involved pursue different priorities.
What happens next
The immediate question is whether the White House and Chinese authorities formally agree to the proposed meeting.
If they do, attention will turn to the agenda, the role of Ukrainian representatives, and whether any discussions are intended to produce specific peace proposals.
Until then, the three-way summit remains an initiative reported by the Wall Street Journal rather than a confirmed diplomatic event.
The next meaningful development will be an official announcement identifying who will attend, when talks will take place, and how Ukraine will be involved in decisions concerning its future.
