The Kremlin opened the door this Tuesday to an unprecedented 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 participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, according to Reuters.
When asked on state television about the possibility of a three-party meeting, the advisor responded, "This matter was indeed discussed." He added that the three leaders plan to attend the forum and that, if their attendance is confirmed, "the three will be able to hold a meeting."
The White House, however, responded cautiously. Spokeswoman Anna Kelly stated that "at this moment there are no announcements regarding President Trump's attendance at APEC," leaving the meeting's confirmation uncertain.
The possible trilateral meeting comes at a time of intense diplomatic activity among the three powers.
Trump and Xi have already held a bilateral summit in Beijing in May 2026, focusing on trade, tariffs, Taiwan, and Iran, although with no significant progress in the trade dispute.
In June, during the G7 in Évian, Trump met with Zelenski and spoke by 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 gas pipeline and bilateral cooperation, in what analysts described as an attempt by both powers to counter Washington's influence on the global stage.
Cuba appears as a secondary yet significant node in this triangular tension.
The Trump administration has imposed over 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, while Russia and China reaffirmed their ties with Havana in 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 share a 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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