The Kremlin opened the door this Tuesday to a historic meeting among the three most powerful leaders in the world: Russian presidential advisor Yuri Ushakov confirmed that Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Donald Trump could hold a trilateral meeting at the APEC summit (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum) scheduled for November 18 and 19 in Shenzhen, China.
Ushakov made the announcement from Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, where Putin and Xi were attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, according to Reuters.
When asked on state television about the possibility of that three-way meeting, the advisor responded: "This matter was discussed, yes." He added that the three leaders are expected to attend the forum and that, if their presence is confirmed, "the three will be able to hold a meeting."
The White House, however, responded cautiously. Spokesperson Anna Kelly stated that "at this time there are no announcements regarding President Trump's attendance at APEC," leaving the details of the meeting uncertain.
The possible trilateral meeting occurs at a time of intense diplomatic activity among the three powers.
Trump and Xi have already held a bilateral summit in Beijing in May, focusing on trade, tariffs, Taiwan, and Iran, although without significant progress in the trade dispute.
In June, during the G7 in Évian, Trump met with Zelenski and spoke on the phone with Putin to resume discussions about Ukraine. In August, the U.S. Senate approved new sanctions against Russia, adding tension to the Washington-Moscow relationship.
Putin and Xi, for their part, have consolidated their strategic alliance throughout 2026. In Bishkek, they discussed the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline and bilateral cooperation, which analysts described as an attempt by both powers to counter Washington's influence on the global stage.
Cuba emerges as a secondary, yet significant, node in this triangular tension.
The Trump administration has imposed more than 240 new sanctions against Havana since January 2026, accusing the Cuban regime of military cooperation with Russia and China.
In August, Washington sanctioned five Cuban entities and eight officials under Executive Order 14404 signed by Trump. Beijing responded by promising to "strongly support" Cuba and demanding the lifting of the sanctions. Russia and China reaffirmed their ties with Havana during a videoconference held in February.
APEC brings together 21 economies from the Asia-Pacific region, including Russia, China, and the United States.
If Trump confirms his attendance in Shenzhen, it would be the first time that the three leaders sit at the same table simultaneously, in a context marked by the war in Ukraine, the tariff rivalry between Washington and Beijing, and the joint pressure from the U.S. on Iran, where Moscow and Beijing have supported Tehran.
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