"Second Yalta" in Shenzhen? A mysterious proposal from the Kremlin

According to the American daily, Putin allegedly proposed a meeting during a telephone conversation with Trump on October 9. It was then that the two leaders agreed to an agreement to suspend sanctions on Russian diesel. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that talks are ongoing about a potential meeting, which could take place during the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Community) summit in Shenzhen, China, on November 18-19.

A former Russian intelligence officer told the daily that Putin's ambition is for such a summit to become a "second Yalta" where the three world leaders would divide the world into spheres of influence.

Uncertainty around the summit

There is no clear agreement yet on the meeting itself or its potential program, although all three parties admit that there is a hypothetical possibility of organizing it - emphasized the Wall Street Journal source.

According to an American official quoted by the newspaper, Trump has not yet accepted the proposal, but may be open to it, counting on the possibility of ending the war in Ukraine.

The planned meeting raises concerns among Ukraine's allies. A summit without the participation of President Volodymyr Zelensky would be unprecedented and - according to "WSJ" estimates - it would raise alarm in European capitals. The image of American, Russian and Chinese leaders negotiating the fate of a third country would be a strong signal, raising concerns, among others. in Taiwan.

China as a mediator?

For Xi Jinping, such a summit could be an opportunity to strengthen China's role as a diplomatic mediator. Russian officials have already presented the idea to Beijing through diplomatic channels, and the Chinese side has not ruled out participating if Trump agrees. However, as sources note, the meeting would pose a risk for Xi, who is trying to balance between supporting Putin and maintaining economic relations with Europe.

The White House has refused to comment on this matter for now. The authors emphasize that such a trilateral meeting could draw China even more directly into the conflict in Ukraine and trigger a reaction from European capitals.