Trump to Discuss Iran War, Arms Race with Xi, Putin
President Trump will meet with China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin at APEC to discuss nuclear arms and the Iran conflict.
The Cliff News | 14 November 2026
United States President Donald Trump is set to engage in an unprecedented three-way meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin next week. The White House announced the high-stakes discussion will take place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen.
The meeting comes at a critical juncture, nine months after the expiration of the last nuclear arms treaty between Washington and Moscow. This leaves the two nations with the largest atomic arsenals without caps for the first time in over half a century.
Nuclear Arms Control on the Agenda
President Trump has indicated that the summit presents an opportunity for the three major powers to potentially reach a new agreement on nuclear stockpiles. The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) lapsed in February, and Trump had previously rejected Russia's proposal for a one-year extension. He has been advocating for a "new, improved and modernized" deal that specifically includes China.
However, expectations for an immediate breakthrough are reportedly low. A senior Trump administration official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, described the meeting as the "start of a conversation" rather than a venue for immediate agreements.
According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Russia currently holds the largest number of nuclear warheads, followed by the United States and then China.
Iran War and Global Tensions
Beyond nuclear arms, President Trump intends to discuss the ongoing situation in Iran with both President Xi and President Putin. A senior US official confirmed that Trump will, however, steer clear of discussions concerning Russia's war in Ukraine.
The summit has already drawn historical comparisons to the 1945 Yalta Conference, where Allied leaders shaped the post-war global order. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, while dismissing the direct parallel, acknowledged the meeting's significance, stating that any agreements would not be imposed on others.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed concerns that the meeting could lead to discussions about a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine without Kyiv's direct involvement.
This diplomatic engagement occurs despite recent tensions, including a brief trade war with China last year and Russia's continued military actions in Ukraine, where the US is actively seeking to mediate a resolution.
Additionally, Elon Musk is scheduled to travel with President Trump to China but will not be participating in the trilateral meeting. The White House has also indicated that President Trump is not expected to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his Asia trip.