China confirms ongoing talks with US and Russia for trilateral summit at APEC

Mao Ning, the spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, confirmed on November 4 that China is maintaining active contact with both the United States and Russia. The discussions center on the possibility of a trilateral meeting involving the heads of state from all three nations. This engagement is expected to take place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which is set to be hosted in Shenzhen on November 18 and 19.

During a press briefing in Beijing, Mao Ning addressed questions from the media regarding the status of these diplomatic efforts. She stated that the Chinese side is currently holding relevant discussions with Washington and Moscow. Her comments provide the first official confirmation from Beijing that a potential gathering of Chinese, Russian, and US leaders is being actively considered and coordinated.

A summit between Chinese leader Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin could materialize during the APEC event. Both Trump and Putin have previously expressed public interest in such a high-level encounter. The timing aligns with the broader regional economic agenda, offering a neutral setting for significant geopolitical dialogue.

The potential meeting carries significant strategic implications for Moscow. By having President Putin participate in talks of this magnitude, Russia may seek to alleviate its international isolation following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. For Beijing, the opportunity presents a chance for President Xi to position himself as a key mediator between the two major powers, enhancing China's diplomatic leverage on the global stage.

Recent reporting has highlighted the momentum behind these negotiations. On October 19, The Wall Street Journal reported that President Putin had proposed meeting with both Trump and Xi in November to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. President Trump subsequently confirmed his willingness to attend such a meeting. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also noted that discussions were indeed taking place between the involved parties.

Further details emerged on October 21 when Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Russian leader, stated that China was already working on organizing the first trilateral meeting of the leaders. Ushakov indicated that the event could be included in the APEC summit program if the necessary conditions were favorable. This suggestion pointed to early logistical planning by the Chinese host.

European perspectives on the developing situation have also been noted. On October 29, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited Beijing and urged President Xi to use his influence over Moscow to help end the war against Ukraine. Steinmeier sought to engage China as a pivotal actor in the conflict resolution process.

Following those talks, Steinmeier provided insights on November 1. He reported that President Xi had expressed surprise at the rumors surrounding the summit and denied that formal preparations were underway for a meeting specifically focused on Ukraine. The Chinese leader described the war as a European conflict and emphasized that European representatives should be present at any negotiating table.

Despite these earlier denials, recent reports suggest intensified activity. On November 3, The Financial Times reported that officials from the US, China, and Russia had been holding undisclosed talks on the trilateral summit for two weeks. The report indicated that Washington and Moscow were pressuring Beijing to agree to host the event. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov subsequently confirmed the preparations, although China's Foreign Ministry had previously only commented on contacts concerning a bilateral meeting between Xi and Putin.