US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to hold a historic three-way meeting in Shenzhen, China, on November 19, with nuclear arms reduction and the conflict in Iran expected to feature prominently on the agenda.
Latest: Trump warns Iran will be ‘hit very hard’ if linked to Flydubai attack
Key Highlights
- Trump, Putin and Xi are expected to meet in Shenzhen, China, on November 19.
- The talks are planned on the sidelines of the APEC summit.
- Nuclear arms reduction and the war in Iran top Trump’s agenda; Ukraine will not be discussed.
- The New START treaty between the US and Russia expired in February 2026.
- The US and Russia each hold over 5,000 nuclear warheads, while China’s stockpile exceeds 600.
The meeting, scheduled for next Thursday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, would bring the leaders of the world’s three major nuclear powers together for unprecedented direct discussions.
The White House confirmed the planned engagement on Friday, November 13, saying Trump intends to discuss reducing nuclear weapons stockpiles and developments surrounding the war in Iran.
White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said Trump considers nuclear proliferation a serious threat and wants the three countries to explore opportunities for reducing their nuclear arsenals.
A senior US official disclosed that the meeting would serve as an opportunity to begin discussions, although Washington does not expect an immediate agreement.
Push for new nuclear arms deal after New START
The proposed talks come months after the expiration of the New START treaty in February 2026, which was the last remaining nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia.
Trump has advocated a new nuclear arms control arrangement that would also involve China, arguing for a broader framework covering the world’s three leading nuclear powers.
However, Beijing has shown little willingness to participate in such an agreement, maintaining that its nuclear arsenal remains significantly smaller than those of Washington and Moscow.
Read also:
- Trump Warns Iran Will Be ‘Hit Very Hard’ If Linked to Flydubai Attack on Israel-Bound Flight
- Putin Kaliningrad Warning: Russia Threatens ‘All Weapons’ as UN Confirms 10 Civilian Deaths in Afghanistan
- US Withdraws B-1 Bombers from UK Base Over Suspected Iranian Drone Threat
Iran on agenda, Ukraine left out
US officials also indicated that Trump intends to raise the situation in Iran during the meeting but does not plan to discuss Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Washington is pursuing a separate diplomatic process involving Moscow and Kyiv to address the conflict.
Estimates indicate that the United States and Russia each possess more than 5,000 nuclear warheads, while China’s stockpile is believed to exceed 600.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed concern over any discussions involving Ukraine’s future without the country’s direct participation.
The proposed Shenzhen meeting is expected to attract international attention, given its potential implications for global security, nuclear arms control and relations among the three major powers.
For more global news, follow us on X.
