China has reportedly dismissed the idea of participating in a trilateral summit with the United States and Russia to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine, according to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. During a meeting in Beijing on October 30, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of including European countries in any negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict.
Steinmeier suggested the possibility of a Ukraine-focused summit during his discussions with Xi, but the Chinese leader indicated that no such preparations were in progress. Xi’s stance reflects the view that European nations, being directly affected by the conflict, should have a significant role in the negotiation process.
This discussion emerges as proposals circulate for a potential meeting between Xi, former US President Donald Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, scheduled for November 18–19. While Putin has proposed addressing nuclear disarmament in a trilateral meeting, Trump has shown interest in discussing broader issues, including the Ukraine war.
China’s insistence on European involvement suggests that any summit focused solely on the conflict might face challenges without the participation of European countries. This position aligns with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s repeated assertions that decisions concerning Ukraine’s future should not be made without Kyiv’s involvement.
The debate over the potential summit highlights ongoing diplomatic hurdles in efforts to resolve the war, particularly concerning the roles of Ukraine and European nations in discussions involving major global powers. The inclusion of Europe in such negotiations underscores the complexity of aligning international interests to address the conflict effectively.