The process of diplomatic settlement of the war in Ukraine has taken a new high-profile turn. Against the backdrop of active consultations in Washington, information appeared about a proposal to hold a summit with the participation of three world powers – the USA, the Russian Federation and China (Beijing). The idea of discussing the future of Ukraine without the participation of Ukrainian representatives themselves caused sharp indignation in Kyiv and provoked a wave of discussions among international partners. As reported by 34.ua , official Ukrainian diplomacy declared a categorical rejection of such formats.
The Big Three Summit Initiative: The Kremlin’s Proposal and the US Position
According to international sources, the proposal to hold a trilateral meeting between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping came from the Kremlin. Moscow is trying to use this platform to consolidate its status as a global player and advance its own demands regarding Ukraine.
Statement from Washington: US President Donald Trump has expressed preliminary support for the idea of holding trilateral consultations involving China, noting that he wants “the war to end as soon as possible.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that consultations on a possible meeting are indeed taking place, although final arrangements and dates have not yet been finalized.
The position of Beijing and the Russian Federation: The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the three parties have a mutual interest in discussing global security, while China traditionally declares support for steps towards a “peaceful settlement”, while at the same time promoting its own influence in the negotiations.
Kyiv’s official reaction: “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine”
The Ukrainian side categorically condemned attempts to discuss the fate of the state behind its back and grant the war criminal the status of an equal negotiator.
Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine: Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiga emphasized that inviting Putin to such summits will only “feed his appetite for grandeur” and encourage continued aggression. He emphasized: “Putin is not a world leader, but a war criminal, and Russia is not a global state, but a global problem . ”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s position: The President of Ukraine confirmed that Ukraine is in constant communication with the US teams, but stressed that any decisions made without Kyiv’s involvement will have no legal or practical force. Kyiv continues to insist on preserving the fundamental principle of international law: “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.”
“Inviting Putin to such trilateral meetings will only encourage him to continue the war. The fate of Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine itself,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine emphasizes .
Geopolitical context and risks for diplomacy
Experts note that attempts to involve China in direct trilateral negotiations with the United States and Russia are part of a broader geopolitical game. For the United States, this is a way to exert pressure in the context of its own trade and economic disputes with Beijing, and for Russia, it is an opportunity to circumvent isolation. At the same time, Ukraine’s European allies are picking up on concerns about the risk of weakening Kyiv’s positions against the backdrop of such backroom initiatives.
PRACTICAL TIPS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OBSERVERS
Maintain information hygiene: the number of diplomatic leaks and rumors is increasing in the media space; rely only on official statements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President of Ukraine.
Understand the format: no consultations by third countries can replace Ukraine’s sovereign right to determine the conditions of its own security and peace.
Monitor the reaction of allies: pay attention to the position of European partners (EU and NATO), who consistently support Ukraine’s subjectivity on the negotiation track.
Conclusion
The diplomatic confrontation around possible trilateral formats with the participation of China has reached its peak: Ukraine firmly holds a subjective position, rejecting any attempts to decide its fate without the direct participation of the Ukrainian side.