Putin proposes trilateral summit with Trump and Xi to end Ukraine war, sidelining Zelensky

Putin has proposed a trilateral summit with Trump and Xi Jinping to negotiate an end to the Ukraine war on Moscow's terms.

• Putin has proposed holding the summit, without Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, alongside the November 18–19 APEC forum in Shenzhen, China.
• The Wall Street Journal reported the proposal came during an October 9 call with Trump, citing a former Russian intelligence officer.
• Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed ongoing discussions, saying the three parties acknowledge the tentative possibility of a meeting without a clear agenda.
• Trump has not given formal approval, while Beijing has signaled it will not object to the summit should Trump agree.