The United States, Russia and China are discussing the possibility of a first tripartite meeting between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. Negotiations have been ongoing for the past two weeks, and it is proposed to be held on November 18-19 in Shenzhen, where the APEC forum will be held. The main obstacle is the lack of an agreed agenda. Trump wants to discuss nuclear arms control with Russia and China. However, Beijing has previously rejected participation in trilateral disarmament talks, pointing to the significantly smaller size of its nuclear arsenal. Moscow allows this format, but does not count on significant negotiations on Ukraine. China also does not want to be the main mediator of the conflict. For Beijing, the summit opens up more diplomatic opportunities but also creates commitments. Holding a meeting of the three leaders on Chinese territory will strengthen China's position. At the same time, Xi Jinping risks involvement in the discussion of the Ukrainian conflict, from which he wants to distance himself. Even if a tripartite summit does take place, the practical result will probably be the coordination of additional contacts, instead of the conclusion of wide-ranging agreements. Regarding the latter, the parties have not yet found a common agenda.

The United States, Russia and China are discussing the possibility of a first tripartite meeting between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. Negotiations have been ongoing for the past two weeks, and it is proposed to be held on November 18-19 in Shenzhen, where the APEC forum will be held. The main obstacle is the lack of an agreed agenda. Trump wants to discuss nuclear arms control with Russia and China. However, Beijing has previously rejected participation in trilateral disarmament talks, pointing to the significantly smaller size of its nuclear arsenal. Moscow allows this format, but does not count on significant negotiations on Ukraine. China also does not want to be the main mediator of the conflict. For Beijing, the summit opens up more diplomatic opportunities but also creates commitments. Holding a meeting of the three leaders on Chinese territory will strengthen China's position. At the same time, Xi Jinping risks involvement in the discussion of the Ukrainian conflict, from which he wants to distance himself. Even if a tripartite summit does take place, the practical result will probably be the coordination of additional contacts, instead of the conclusion of wide-ranging agreements. Regarding the latter, the parties have not yet found a common agenda.