President Trump is set to hold a landmark trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in China next week. This will be the first time the three leaders have gathered for a joint discussion, according to a senior U.S. official.
The meeting comes as Trump embarks on a broader Asia trip that includes stops at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in the Philippines and the APEC forum. The White House confirmed the trilateral session on Thursday, after Trump hinted earlier this month that such a meeting was in the works.
White House spokesman Olivia Wales said the president intends to raise the issue of nuclear weapons reduction, a topic he has long prioritized. "The President has made it clear that, among other topics, he will discuss the reduction of nuclear weapons in the world. This proliferation, President Trump believes, is very dangerous," Wales told reporters.
However, a senior U.S. official cautioned that no concrete agreements are expected from the meeting. "I would characterize this as the entry point, the first conversation, certainly at the leader level, between these countries," the official said, adding that it is "hopefully a conversation that can be productive going forward."
The official also noted that Iran will be on the agenda, but notably said the president does not intend to discuss Ukraine. That omission is likely to draw scrutiny, given ongoing tensions over Russia's actions in the region.
The trilateral meeting occurs against the backdrop of the expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), the last nuclear arms control pact between the U.S. and Russia. The treaty, which was extended for five years under the Biden administration, capped deployed strategic warheads and launchers. It expired in February, and Trump has signaled he wants a new agreement.
"If it expires, it expires. We'll do a better agreement," Trump said in January, suggesting he is open to negotiating a replacement. The inclusion of China in the nuclear discussion is notable, as Beijing has not been party to previous U.S.-Russia arms control talks.
Analysts view the trilateral format as a significant shift in diplomatic engagement, potentially reshaping the dynamics of major-power relations. The meeting is expected to be a preliminary discussion, with follow-up negotiations likely in the months ahead.
Trump's approval ratings have been under pressure, and his handling of foreign policy will be closely watched. The president's decision to meet with both Putin and Xi comes as his administration faces scrutiny over its approach to domestic political challenges and international relations.
The White House has framed the meeting as an opportunity for direct dialogue on pressing global issues. Whether it yields tangible outcomes remains to be seen, but the symbolism of the three leaders sitting down together is likely to dominate headlines.
