China, Russia and US Eye 3-Way APEC Summit as Beijing Weighs Ukraine Optics

3 articles · Updated · DW (English) · Nov 13

APEC in Shenzhen could host an unprecedented meeting of Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump next week, though Beijing has not confirmed it and says only that it is in communication with relevant parties.
Trump gave the clearest public signal, saying he thinks one APEC meeting will include Putin and Xi; the Kremlin says coordination is underway after Putin floated the idea last month.
Ukraine's war hangs over the talks even as Trump cited Iran and denuclearization instead; a three-way photo op would hand Putin a diplomatic win after years of Western efforts to isolate him.
China appears wary of hosting any discussion on Ukraine without Kyiv or Europe present, fearing a 'new Yalta' image could damage ties with the EU and undercut Beijing's claim to global neutrality.
The episode highlights the depth and limits of the China-Russia partnership: Beijing has backed Moscow economically and with dual-use goods, but still avoids a formal alliance and resists being seen as part of a G3.