Beijing does not support the inclusion of the Russian-Ukrainian war on the agenda of the trilateral meeting between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, scheduled for 19 November in Shenzhen, China. Despite Moscow’s interest in such talks, China and the United States do not consider this format suitable for discussing an end to the war.
Briefly about the main points
- Beijing is opposed to the inclusion of the Ukrainian issue on the summit agenda.
- Putin is hoping to use the negotiations to bring the war to an end on Moscow’s terms.
- Trump plans to focus on issues relating to nuclear arms control.
- The final format of the trilateral talks in China has not yet been agreed.
Beijing did not support the Kremlin’s initiative regarding Ukraine
According to Reuters sources familiar with the preparations for the meeting, the Russian side attempted to include the issue of the war against Ukraine on the agenda for the talks between the three leaders. However, the Chinese leadership opposed this proposal.
A similar stance is also being taken in Washington. A spokesperson for the US administration explained that the US is already conducting separate talks with Russia, whilst China is not a party to this diplomatic process.
The White House had previously announced that meeting of the three leaders is due to take place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
Trump, Putin and Xi have different objectives in the negotiations
For the Kremlin, a potential meeting represents an opportunity to push its own conditions for ending the war and to demonstrate Russia’s return to negotiations at the highest international level.
Donald Trump Instead, he is keen to launch a trilateral dialogue on nuclear arms control and the resolution of the conflict with Iran.
Beijing is also cautious about the US initiative on nuclear disarmament. China’s arsenal remains significantly smaller than those of the US and Russia, so the Chinese leadership is not interested in the same restrictions applying to all three countries.
China is insisting that Europe take part in the negotiations on Ukraine
Previously, the President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier after speaking with Xi Jinping He reported that the Chinese leader considers it necessary to involve European states in negotiations aimed at ending the war.
The Ukrainian side has also repeatedly emphasised that it is unacceptable to take decisions regarding Ukraine’s future without Kyiv’s involvement.
Despite the approaching scheduled meeting in Shenzhen, there is still no final agreement on its agenda between Washington, Moscow and Beijing.
