Reports say Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed meeting U.S. President Donald Trump next month to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. At its regular briefing on the 19th, China's Foreign Ministry would say only that it has no information to provide at present.
Global Times reported on the 20th that at the Foreign Ministry's regular briefing on the 19th, a reporter cited the news that Putin had proposed a meeting with Trump next month and asked whether China supports it and what it involves. Spokesperson Mao Ning replied that she had no information to provide on the question for now. Beijing therefore did not state a position for or against the meeting itself.
광고 문의 · 300×250According to the Korea Times and Kyiv Post, citing the Wall Street Journal, the proposal came in an October 9 phone call between Putin and Trump. The Journal described it as a three-way format that would include Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the Kremlin pointing to the sidelines of the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, on November 18-19. The question put to the Chinese ministry focused on a U.S.-Russia meeting, so the scope differs somewhat between reports.
What is confirmed and what is not
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged to the Journal that discussions are under way but said there is no clear understanding yet of the meeting itself or its agenda. A senior U.S. official told the paper that Trump has not agreed but could be open to the idea. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was reported as saying there have been talks of a meeting but he does not know whether it has been finalized. No date, venue or list of participants has been officially fixed.
Comparing reactions in Washington, Moscow, Kyiv and Europe
Moscow has not denied the proposal but keeps its distance from specifics, while Washington is cautious, neither confirming nor rejecting it. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized the U.S. diesel deal with Russia and a waiver of some sanctions, warning they could embolden Putin and prolong the war, and told NBC it would be a historic mistake for Washington to formally side with Russia. Kyiv's official response to the summit proposal itself has not been confirmed.
Specific European reactions are likewise unconfirmed. The Kyiv Post said only that concern is mounting in Kyiv and across Europe over Washington's approach to Moscow. On China, the Journal cited sources saying Beijing is not opposed, but the Foreign Ministry has given no official stance. This paper will not speculate on unconfirmed points and will follow further announcements.