Arguments in favor of a summit between Trump, Xi Jinping and Putin -. foreign affairs Part 2/2 If Trump, Xi Jinping and Putin meet in Shenzhen, they should focus on reducing tensions in key geopolitical hotspots. The Korean Peninsula represents the best opportunity for cooperation between these three leaders. The prospects for progress towards the end of the war in Ukraine are much dimmer, but not completely absent. Trump should aim to weaken Russia's ability to continue the war, but he has long opposed tightening sanctions on Moscow and has recently been actively discussing potential business projects with Russia.
The summit gives Trump an opportunity to change course and try to convince Xi Jinping to rein in Putin. Trump has promised to end the war in Ukraine, and the Chinese leader can help him achieve that goal.
So far, Xi Jinping has supported Putin's war against Ukraine, presumably because the conflict diverts US attention and resources away from Asia, splits NATO and allows Xi and Putin to position themselves as the leaders of global resistance to Western hegemony.
However, with no battlefield victory in sight, Putin has reason to seek a diplomatic solution to the situation.
Trump and Xi Jinping can pressure the Russian leader to agree to a series of limited but significant steps to de-escalate the conflict. These can include stopping attacks on energy facilities and infrastructure, civilian targets and commercial shipping.
Trump and Xi Jinping could also work together to pressure Putin to refrain from actions that could escalate the war, such as Russian drone incursions into NATO airspace, sabotage of European infrastructure and threats to use nuclear weapons.