Putin seeks Ukraine summit with Trump and Xi but refuses talks with Zelenskyy
The proposed talks come as Washington eases economic pressure on Moscow while pressing Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, raising concerns in Kyiv that the Kremlin is securing concessions without making any of its own.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has reportedly proposed a three-way summit with US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping next month to negotiate an end to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to US media.
The proposal was reportedly made during a telephone conversation between Putin and Trump on 9 October, which also produced a controversial agreement involving Russian diesel exports to US and international markets.
Citing people familiar with the discussions, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that the Kremlin suggested holding the meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen which takes place on 18–19 November.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov confirmed to the paper that discussions were under way, although no agreement has been reached yet on the meeting or its agenda.
A senior US official told the newspaper that Trump has not agreed to attend but could be receptive to the proposal.
There was no indication that Ukraine would participate in the proposed talks.
The prospect of such a meeting comes as Trump seeks to revive negotiations with Moscow, arguing that imposing further economic pressure on Russia could undermine efforts to end the war.
"My decision on Russia is a very simple one," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Sunday.
"I am in the process of negotiating Peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine, and don't want to do anything that will drive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table. Great progress is being made, and that includes current hostage negotiations!"
He offered no details of any concessions secured from Moscow.
Trump defends Russian diesel deal amid growing criticism
Trump's remarks followed his decision on 16 October to waive a series of new sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia and countries trading with it, just days before the measures were due to take effect.
The move came a week after his agreement with Putin on Russian diesel exports, as Washington seeks to contain soaring fuel prices exacerbated by the war in Iran.
Trump defended the diesel arrangement by arguing that Russia had refrained from providing more substantial assistance to Iran in its conflict with the US.
"Russia is doing very little, if anything, to help the Islamic Republic of Iran, compared to what they could be doing, and I want to keep it that way, and will, unless stupid people get in the way," he wrote.
He also praised Moscow for supplying diesel to global markets at reduced prices, portraying the agreement as a contribution to easing pressure on international energy supplies.
At the same time, Washington has increasingly pressed Kyiv to suspend its campaign against Russian oil refineries, which Ukraine considers legitimate military targets because of the revenue they generate for Moscow's war effort.
The Trump administration even reportedly threatened to suspend intelligence-sharing and weapons deliveries unless Ukraine halted the strikes.
The dispute further strained relations between Washington and Kyiv, particularly as Russia continues to bombard Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.
Zelenskyy accuses partners of ignoring reality of Russia's war
Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that easing pressure on Moscow risks prolonging the war, accusing Russia of rejecting diplomatic efforts to end the conflict while intensifying its attacks on Ukraine.
His latest comments followed another overnight bombardment in which, according to Zelenskyy, Russian forces launched 16 ballistic missiles at Kyiv and the surrounding region, alongside more than 200 drones across the country, including jet-powered variants.
More than ten energy facilities were damaged, leaving at least 550,000 households without electricity, he said. A medical clinic, a school, a metro station and residential buildings were also damaged.
Zelenskyy also said Ukraine had once again received no advance warning from its partners about the incoming ballistic missiles.
"Putin not only doesn't want to end this war – he doesn't even want to take any steps toward de-escalation," Zelenskyy wrote on X.
He stressed that Ukraine had responded positively to every ceasefire proposal put forward by its partners, while Russia had continued its attacks.
"When deliveries of missiles for Ukraine's air defence are blocked while Russia is granted relief or delays in sanctions, this is, unfortunately, a denial of reality on the part of our partners," he said.
"The reality is that the war continues, and it continues solely because of Russian strikes and Russia's desire to drag this war out," Zelenskyy said.
