Donald Trump Open to Vladimir Putin-Xi Jinping Talks on Ukraine War

US President Donald Trump has said he is willing to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, even without Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as Washington continues to explore ways to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump also questioned Zelenskyy’s handling of the conflict, suggesting that Ukraine should consider appointing someone else to negotiate on its behalf, according to a report.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Monday, Trump said he would participate in a meeting if it could help end the war. He indicated that discussions with Putin and Xi would primarily focus on nuclear weapons and denuclearisation, with trade and other issues also potentially on the agenda. Donald Trump Defends Russia Sanctions Waiver, Says New Tariffs Could Hurt Ukraine Peace Talks.

The remarks come as Moscow explores the possibility of a trilateral summit with Washington and Beijing next month, amid continuing diplomatic tensions between the US and Ukraine.

Donald Trump Questions Zelenskyy’s Role in Peace Negotiations

Trump renewed his criticism of Zelenskyy, arguing that the Ukrainian president could have secured a settlement with Russia earlier in the conflict. “Maybe it’s time for Zelenskyy to get somebody else to negotiate,” Trump said, claiming that the war had resulted in heavy casualties without significant territorial changes.

Trump also criticised the Ukrainian leader’s response to US policy and reiterated his view that an earlier agreement could have prevented further losses. Donald Trump Says Russia, Ukraine Agree to Immediate ‘Energy Ceasefire’.

His comments come amid disagreements between Washington and Kyiv over the US approach to Moscow, including sanctions policy and concerns surrounding military intelligence-sharing arrangements.

Vladimir Putin Proposes Trilateral Summit in China

The possibility of a meeting between Trump, Putin and Xi emerged after a reported October 9 telephone conversation between the US and Russian presidents, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The proposed meeting could take place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China, scheduled for November 18 and 19.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has confirmed that the possibility of a trilateral meeting was discussed. However, he said no concrete proposals or agreements had been reached regarding the meeting or its agenda.

Trump has indicated that he would be willing to participate if Xi supported the initiative. The US president has highlighted denuclearisation as a key objective, although the potential discussions could also cover the Ukraine conflict and trade.

The meeting has not been formally confirmed, and the details of any proposed negotiations remain unclear.

Ukraine Raises Concerns Over Possible Exclusion

The prospect of discussions involving Washington, Moscow and Beijing without Kyiv has raised questions about Ukraine’s representation in decisions concerning its own war.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha warned that a meeting between the US, Russian and Chinese leaders could encourage Moscow to continue its military campaign rather than advance peace efforts. Kyiv has argued that negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States would be more directly relevant to ending the conflict.

Zelenskyy has also previously discussed the possibility of a meeting involving Putin during the G20 summit in the United States in December, although arrangements have yet to be confirmed.

Washington Says Ending the War Remains a Priority

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday that ending the Russia-Ukraine war remained a priority for the Trump administration. He indicated that Washington would continue exploring diplomatic options despite limited progress in efforts to secure a settlement.

The latest developments come as the US balances its efforts to negotiate with Moscow against concerns over Russia’s continued military operations and its relations with Kyiv.

Whether a proposed Trump-Putin-Xi meeting will move forward remains uncertain. Any lasting settlement would also need to address the positions of Ukraine and Russia, including the disputed territorial and security questions at the centre of the conflict.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 20, 2026 08:01 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).