Putin seeks Ukraine summit with Trump and Xi but refuses talks with Zelenskyy

Key Points:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a trilateral summit with US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping next month to discuss ending the Ukraine conflict, with discussions reportedly planned around the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November.
• Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and the European Commission criticized the proposal, arguing that including Putin alongside Trump and Xi would legitimize Russia without ensuring meaningful steps toward peace, and that Russia continues its attacks despite ceasefire talks.
• Trump has shown openness to the summit and recently waived sanctions related to Russian diesel exports, defending the move as helping to stabilize global energy prices and limiting Russian support to Iran, although details of any concessions remain unclear.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the proposal and the easing of pressure on Moscow, highlighting ongoing Russian missile attacks on Ukraine and accusing partners of ignoring the reality of Russia’s aggression and prolonging the war by granting Russia relief.
• Relations between Washington and Kyiv have been strained due to US pressure on Ukraine to suspend attacks on Russian oil refineries, with Zelenskyy emphasizing that Ukraine has accepted ceasefire proposals while Russia continues its military offensive.