Trump, Xi, Putin to Hold Historic First Three-Way Summit
Leaders of the US, China, and Russia will convene for an unprecedented summit in China next week, focusing on nuclear arms and regional stability.
The Cliff News | 14 November 2026
In a move set to reshape geopolitical discussions, United States President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian leader Vladimir Putin are scheduled to hold an unprecedented three-way summit next week. The landmark meeting will take place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China's prominent technology hub, the White House confirmed.
This historic gathering comes at a critical juncture, nine months after the expiration of the last major nuclear arms treaty between Washington and Moscow. The lapsing of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) left the world's two largest nuclear powers without limitations on their arsenals for the first time in over half a century, underscoring the urgency for dialogue on arms control.
Nuclear Arms Control on the Agenda
President Trump has indicated that a primary objective of the summit is to explore the possibility of a new agreement concerning nuclear stockpiles among the three nations. Earlier this year, Trump rejected Russia's proposal to extend the New START treaty for another year. Instead, he insisted on a "new, improved and modernized" deal that would explicitly include China, which possesses the third-largest nuclear arsenal globally.
However, expectations for immediate breakthroughs are reportedly low. A senior Trump administration official, speaking to Reuters, described the upcoming meeting as the commencement of a conversation rather than a venue for immediate agreement. According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Russia currently holds the most nuclear warheads, followed by the United States, and then China.
Broader Geopolitical Discussions
Beyond nuclear disarmament, President Trump intends to address the ongoing war in Iran with Presidents Xi and Putin. However, a senior US official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity, clarified that discussions would steer clear of Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. The US has been actively seeking to mediate a resolution to the conflict there.
The official also confirmed that Elon Musk will accompany President Trump on his trip to China but will not participate in the trilateral summit. There are also no plans for President Trump to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during this Asia trip.
Historical Parallels and Concerns
The prospect of such a high-level, three-way summit has inevitably drawn comparisons to the Yalta Conference of 1945. That pivotal meeting saw the leaders of the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union convene to shape the post-World War II international order. The historical significance of Yalta looms large over the current discussions.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, however, downplayed the direct parallels to Yalta. He stated that any agreements reached in Shenzhen should not be imposed on others. Despite this, Peskov acknowledged the meeting as "extremely significant," highlighting its potential impact on global affairs.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed apprehension regarding the summit. He voiced concerns that the meeting could potentially become a forum for discussing a resolution to the war in Ukraine without Kyiv's direct involvement or representation, a prospect that could have profound implications for ongoing peace efforts.
Despite a recent trade dispute with China and Russia's continued involvement in the Ukraine conflict, President Trump has actively pursued closer diplomatic ties with both Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. This ongoing diplomatic engagement signals a complex and evolving landscape in international relations.