Putin proposes three-way summit with Trump and Xi Jinping to discuss Ukraine war

NEW YORK: Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed holding a three-way summit next month with US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, at which talks could be held to end the Ukraine war.

The American newspaper the Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the matter, has reported that the proposed talks are likely to benefit Russia.

According to the international news agency Reuters, the proposal comes at a time when relations between Trump and Putin appear to be warming. The US president has announced a deal to buy Russian diesel, while a presidential order on Friday also granted exemptions from some key sanctions imposed on Russia.

Citing a former Russian intelligence official, the Wall Street Journal said Putin proposed the three-way summit during a telephone conversation with Trump on 9 October. According to the newspaper, the diesel deal between the two countries was also agreed as a result of the same conversation.

APEC summit in Shenzhen

According to the report, Russia has proposed that the three leaders meet on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held next month in the Chinese city of Shenzhen. The summit is to be held on 18 and 19 November.

Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the newspaper that talks on a possible meeting were continuing, but no clear decision had yet been made on whether it would be held or on its agenda. According to him, all three sides acknowledge the possibility of such a meeting.

A senior US official told the Wall Street Journal that Trump has not yet agreed to the summit, but may be willing to consider the proposal.