Trump, Putin and Xi to hold major talks – what it could mean for Europe and Iran

ملخص مفصل

Donald Trump has never been shy in expressing his belief in great power diplomacy. The US President’s distrust of global alliance structures and approach to trade hark back to an…

Donald Trump has never been shy in expressing his belief in great power diplomacy.

The US President’s distrust of global alliance structures and approach to trade hark back to an era when “might is right” was the dominant philosophy among world leaders.

Friday’s confirmation of a three-way meeting between Trump, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, therefore, was unsurprising, not only because US and Russian officials had been openly discussing the prospect for weeks.

However, the talks nonetheless represent a major diplomatic coup for Putin and could mark a significant shift in the security of Europe and the Middle East.

According to the White House, Trump, Putin and Xi will meet on the sidelines of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the Chinese city of Shenzhen.

Trump had already been expected to hold talks with Xi during the leaders’ summit, which will take place between 18 and 19 November, the third such meeting between the pair this year.

The President, though, also expressed interest in including Putin, both to discuss nuclear arms control and in an apparent effort to find a solution to the Iran war and soaring fuel prices.

Chinese officials were initially unconvinced by Trump’s plan, with Beijing concerned a trilateral summit would overshadow APEC and Xi’s desire to showcase Shenzhen as a growing tech-hub.

However, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, confirmed last week negotiations over the talks were progressing with officials “in communication with relevant parties regarding a meeting between the three heads of state”.

مطلع المقال، مقتطف من i News. لقراءة المقال كاملًا، افتحه على موقع الناشر.