Trump, Xi, Putin's joint meeting at APEC summit next week
What's the story
US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen next week. The White House confirmed this unprecedented gathering of leaders from the world's top nuclear powers. However, analysts are skeptical about any major breakthroughs from these talks.
Agenda
Talks to focus on Iran war and nuclear stockpiles
The trilateral meeting is expected to focus on the US's ongoing war with Iran and a potential three-way agreement on nuclear arms stockpiles.
Trump intends to discuss these issues with Xi and Putin, but will avoid talking about Ukraine.
The last nuclear arms pact between Russia and the US expired in February, lifting caps on their atomic arsenals for the first time in over 50 years.
Disparity in arsenals
China less interested in nuclear pact due to disparity
China's nuclear arsenal of over 600 warheads is much smaller than those of the US and Russia, which are each estimated to have over 5,000 warheads.
This disparity has made China less interested in a nuclear pact.
However, a senior US official characterized this meeting as an opportunity for China to "step up... to the adult table" on an important international issue.
Potential impact
Trilateral meeting could overshadow APEC summit
The trilateral meeting could overshadow the APEC summit, which is a major opportunity for China to showcase its rapidly growing coastal metropolis.
It could also complicate China's argument that a Cold War mentality in the West contributed to Russia's war on Ukraine and its criticism of US actions against Iran.
The meeting could undermine China's efforts to present itself as a champion of free trade at APEC.
Encounters
Meeting of world leaders could undermine Ukraine
Trump and Putin have met face-to-face seven times, most recently in Alaska in August 2025.
Xi and Trump have held face-to-face talks eight times, including a September state visit to Washington by Xi.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed fears that the trilateral meeting could be used as a platform for discussing a possible deal behind Kyiv's back.