China is not considering a trilateral summit with the United States and Russia to discuss the war in Ukraine, according to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. During a meeting in Beijing on October 30, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the necessity of involving European countries in any negotiations regarding the conflict.
Steinmeier had proposed the idea of a summit centered on Ukraine, but Xi conveyed that there were no ongoing preparations for such a meeting with China, the U.S., and Russia. Xi highlighted that the conflict directly affects Europe, and therefore, European nations should participate actively in any discussions aimed at resolving the situation.
The meeting between Steinmeier and Xi took place against the backdrop of potential plans for a summit involving Xi, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, scheduled for November 18–19. While Putin has suggested a trilateral meeting focused on nuclear disarmament, Trump has shown interest in discussing broader issues, including the conflict in Ukraine. However, China’s stance indicates that a summit specifically addressing the war without European involvement might face significant hurdles.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently maintained that any decisions about Ukraine’s future should not be made without Kyiv’s participation. This ongoing debate over potential diplomatic engagements underscores the challenges in negotiating an end to the conflict, particularly concerning the roles of Ukraine and European countries in talks involving major global powers.