---
title: "Steinmeier: Xi Jinping has no intention to discuss Ukraine at meeting with Trump and Putin"
description: "German President Steinmeier stated that Xi Jinping does not intend to discuss Ukraine at a meeting with Trump and Putin during the APEC summit in Shenzhen, calling the conflict \"European.\""
date: 2026-11-01T15:00:37.638Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/steinmeier-xi-jinping-no-ukraine-meeting
tags: [china, ukraine-war, apec-summit, germany, russia, us, diplomacy, xi-jinping, steinmeier]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Steinmeier: Xi Jinping has no intention to discuss Ukraine at meeting with Trump and Putin

![Chinese President Xi Jinping smiling in an official blue suit and burgundy tie](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/01/sai-tsinpin-ne-obgovoryvaet-ukrainu-s-trampom-i-putinym/sai-tsinpin-ne-obgovoryvaet-ukrainu-s-trampom-i-putinym-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Steinmeier reported that Xi Jinping will not include the Ukrainian issue on the agenda of the meeting with Trump and Putin at the APEC summit in Shenzhen
- Xi Jinping called the conflict "European" and emphasized the need for Europeans to be present at the negotiating table
- Russian Presidential Aide Ushakov suggested that Xi Jinping might organize a trilateral meeting within the framework of APEC
- Beijing previously publicly called on Ukraine and Russia to make "mutual concessions" for the sake of peace

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier stated that the war in Ukraine will not be included on the agenda of upcoming talks between Chinese leader Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He announced this following bilateral negotiations with the Chinese leader in Beijing on Friday. According to Steinmeier, Beijing shows no interest in holding a trilateral meeting dedicated to resolving the conflict in Ukraine, and Xi Jinping himself, by his observation, expressed surprise when the German president raised the topic.

### Conversation in Beijing: "This is a European Conflict"

Steinmeier recounted that during the talks in Beijing, he proposed to Xi Jinping that they discuss the possibility of holding a summit on Ukraine involving the US, Russia, and China. According to him, the Chinese leader's response delivered a clear position: there are currently no signs of preparations for such a summit. "He clearly emphasized that this is a European conflict, and Europeans must also be present at the negotiating table," Steinmeier conveyed Xi Jinping's words. The German president also noted that surprise could be seen on the Chinese leader's face when he raised the issue of a trilateral settlement. Following the conclusion of the talks, Steinmeier returned to Berlin.

### APEC Summit in Shenzhen as a Probable Meeting Venue

At the same time, according to Steinmeier, Xi Jinping's meeting with Trump and Putin will most likely take place within the framework of the upcoming APEC summit in Shenzhen. However, the Ukrainian issue, as follows from the conversation with the Chinese leader, will not be on the agenda of this meeting. Thus, Beijing, in Berlin's assessment, views the APEC summit as a platform for economic and strategic dialogue, but not as a forum to discuss the military conflict in Europe.

### Moscow's Position: Ushakov Does Not Rule Out Organizing a Trilateral Meeting

In Russia, the potential trilateral meeting was met with a greater degree of openness. Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov stated that if the US President is also present at the APEC summit, then "the host of this event, Chairman Xi Jinping, will probably take some steps toward possibly organizing a trilateral meeting as well." Thus, the Russian side does not rule out that the format of negotiations could be expanded, although the specific agenda—including the question of including the Ukrainian topic—was not detailed in his statement.

### Context: China's Call for "Mutual Concessions" and Kyiv's Assessment

Steinmeier's statement came against the backdrop of Beijing's recent public call for Ukraine and Russia to make "mutual concessions" to achieve peace. This signal, along with Xi Jinping's readiness for contacts with the leaders of the US and Russia, forms a picture in which China positions itself as a potential mediator, while insisting that key decisions on the European conflict must be made with the participation of European countries. In Kyiv, for their part, concern had previously been expressed over a possible scenario in which Trump, Xi Jinping, and Putin discuss Ukraine's future behind Kyiv's back. An assessment of the risks of such a format was given by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

### What This Means for the Negotiation Track

Steinmeier's statement records an important shift in the diplomatic alignment: China, despite its growing role in international contacts, is not assuming the role of an arbiter in the Ukrainian conflict and is shifting the responsibility for settlement to the European side. For Berlin, this is simultaneously confirmation that Europe cannot remain on the sidelines of the negotiation process, and a signal that Beijing does not intend to use its diplomatic weight to promote a specific peace plan without the participation of European capitals. For Moscow, in turn, the absence of the Ukrainian topic on the APEC agenda means that the key settlement issue has not yet moved to a multilateral platform involving the US and China, keeping the negotiation track in its current, predominantly bilateral format.

## Accounts differ

### Inclusion of the Ukrainian topic on the agenda of the trilateral meeting at APEC

- **German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (referencing Xi Jinping):** The Ukrainian issue will not enter the meeting's agenda; there are no signs of preparations for a summit on Ukraine involving the US, Russia, and China; the conflict is called a "European" one ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/si-tszinpin-planue-obgovoryuvati-ukrayinu-1793544923.html))
- **Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov:** Xi Jinping, as the host of the event, "will probably take some steps toward the possible organization of a trilateral meeting" with the presidents of Russia and the US ([svpressa.ru](https://svpressa.ru/politic/news/534073/))

*Where they agree:* A meeting of the leaders of China, the US, and Russia is expected within the framework of the APEC summit in Shenzhen; both sides confirm that contact will take place.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Си Цзиньпин не намерен обсуждать Украину с Трампом и Путиным, - президент Германии](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/si-tszinpin-planue-obgovoryuvati-ukrayinu-1793544923.html) - Первоисточник заявления Штайнмайера, пересказ ARD. Все ключевые факты (переговоры в Пекине, отказ от украинской повестки, саммит АТЭС в Шэньчжэне, реакция Си) подтверждены.
- [Си Цзиньпин призвал к сотрудничеству с Путиным и «взаимному уважению» с Трампом](https://www.rfi.fr/ru/%D0%B2-%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B5/20260205-%D1%81%D0%B8-%D1%86%D0%B7%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%8C%D0%BF%D0%B8%D0%BD-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B7%D1%8B%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BB-%D0%BA-%D1%81%D0%BE%D1%82%D1%80%D1%83%D0%B4%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D1%83-%D1%81-%D0%BF%D1%83%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%BC-%D0%B8-%D0%B2%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%BC%D1%83-%D1%83%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%B6%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%8E-%D1%81-%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BC) - Подтверждает факт переговоров Си с Путиным и Трампом, контекст дипломатических контактов.
- [Ушаков допустил, что Си Цзиньпин организует встречу с Путиным и Трампом](https://svpressa.ru/politic/news/534073/) - Заявление Ушакова о возможной трёхсторонней встрече на АТЭС. Использовано для баланса позиций.

## FAQ

### Will Ukraine be discussed at the meeting between Xi Jinping, Trump, and Putin?

According to German President Steinmeier, who discussed this topic with Xi Jinping in Beijing, the Ukrainian issue will not be included on the agenda of the meeting. Xi Jinping, according to him, emphasized that this is a "European conflict".

### Where is the meeting of the leaders of China, US, and Russia projected to take place?

Steinmeier reported that the meeting will most likely take place within the framework of the APEC summit in Shenzhen. The Russian side (Yuri Ushakov) also confirmed that Russia's participation in the summit is planned.

### How did Russia react to the possibility of a trilateral meeting?

Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov stated that if the US President is present at the APEC summit, then Xi Jinping, as the host of the event, "will probably take some steps toward the possible organization of a trilateral meeting as well."

### When did the talks between Steinmeier and Xi Jinping take place?

The meeting took place on Friday in Beijing. After the talks, the German president returned to Berlin.