Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed holding a meeting with United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November to discuss a possible end to the war in Ukraine, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal cited by Reuters on October 19, 2026.
The proposed meeting could bring together three of the world’s most influential leaders to discuss the conflict, which has continued to shape international relations, security policies and the global economy. However, the exact agenda and whether all three leaders will attend remain uncertain.
According to the report, Putin raised the idea during a telephone conversation with Trump on October 9. The Kremlin has reportedly discussed holding the meeting alongside the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled to take place in Shenzhen, China, on November 18 and 19.
The proposal comes amid renewed diplomatic discussions surrounding the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The war has resulted in extensive destruction, displacement and continuing military confrontations, while efforts to negotiate a lasting settlement have faced major obstacles.
Ukraine’s future remains a central concern
Any negotiations involving Russia and the United States are likely to attract close attention from Ukraine and its European partners, particularly over the terms of a potential peace agreement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly maintained that any settlement must protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and security. Concerns remain over whether an agreement could involve territorial concessions or other conditions that Kyiv considers unacceptable.
The reported proposal has not yet established what terms would be discussed or whether Ukraine would participate directly in any meeting.
What the proposed meeting could mean
A meeting involving Washington, Moscow and Beijing could have wider implications beyond the battlefield. The three countries have significant influence over international security, trade and diplomatic affairs.
China has maintained relations with Russia while also presenting itself as a potential voice for a political settlement. The United States, meanwhile, remains a key international actor in efforts to influence the course of the war.
For now, the proposed summit remains an idea under discussion rather than a confirmed diplomatic breakthrough. Its significance will depend on whether the leaders agree to meet and whether their discussions produce concrete steps towards ending the conflict.
