The Times reported, citing sources and analysts, that Chinese President Xi Jinping is considering a trilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The occasion for such a summit is expected to be a military parade in China on September 3 to mark the end of World War II. Putin has already accepted the invitation. It is believed that the Chinese leader may also invite Trump to hold a symbolic meeting of the leaders of the PRC, the United States, and Russia. Analysts call it a “powerful signal of peace and stability.”
According to experts, Xi may use the parade as a domestic and international political tool, emphasizing the alliance with Russia and diverting attention from domestic problems.
At the same time, as the newspaper notes, Trump’s advisers may doubt the advisability of participation. Some fear visiting Beijing will make Jinping and Putin political beneficiaries, while Trump will be assigned a secondary role. However, the meeting could align with his diplomatic style of strengthening influence through direct contact with world leaders.
Earlier, Trump threatened to impose secondary tariffs on Russia and its allies if an agreement on the Ukraine issue is not reached within 50 days. China responded by promising to strengthen support for Russia and to condemn any unilateral sanctions.
