In a significant diplomatic move, U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to hold an unprecedented trilateral meeting during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China next week. This gathering aims to address pressing global issues such as the ongoing conflict in Iran and nuclear arms control.
The White House has confirmed the planned meeting, which underscores the convergence of the world’s three nuclear powers. While substantive breakthroughs may be unlikely, the meeting’s symbolic importance could be substantial, according to analysts. A primary focus for President Trump is to discuss the Iran conflict and propose a new nuclear arms agreement that would include China, in addition to the United States and Russia.
The previous nuclear arms treaty between the U.S. and Russia, known as New START, expired in February 2026, removing longstanding restrictions on the two largest nuclear arsenals. However, convincing China to join a new agreement presents challenges. Despite possessing far fewer nuclear warheads—approximately 600 compared to over 5,000 held by the U.S. and Russia—China has shown little interest in participating in such negotiations.
The meeting also takes place against a backdrop of increasing cooperation between China and Russia. Since the onset of the Ukraine war in 2022, China has bolstered economic ties with Russia, notably by purchasing energy resources and providing technological components. In return, Putin has supported China’s stance on Taiwan, further solidifying their strategic partnership.
This summit has raised concerns in Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy apprehensive that the leaders might discuss the Ukraine conflict without Kyiv’s participation. President Trump has stated that Ukraine will not be a central topic in the trilateral dialogue.
For China, the summit is an opportunity to enhance its global influence, while Russia could reinforce its status as a key global player. Nonetheless, analysts caution that the meeting might complicate China’s efforts to advocate for multilateral cooperation and free trade during the APEC summit.