Putin Breaks Silence on Trump-Xi Meeting, Reveals What He Really Thinks
Russian President Vladimir Putin has responded to the much-watched meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, brushing aside suggestions that Moscow might feel left out of the high-profile US-China engagement.
Putin was asked about the Trump-Xi meeting during a press conference on Friday on the sidelines of the United Cultures Forum in St Petersburg.
The question came against the backdrop of growing international attention on relations among Washington, Beijing and Moscow, particularly as speculation continues over a possible meeting involving Trump, Xi and Putin at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, APEC, summit in China.
But Putin rejected the idea that he could be “jealous” of the meeting.
He argued that jealousy belonged to personal relationships rather than international diplomacy.
“Jealousy is something from a completely different area of a humanitarian nature—relationships between men and women,” Putin said. “In politics, in international politics, such categories are not really used.”
His response came shortly after Xi concluded a three-day state visit to the United States, where he held talks with Trump on issues affecting the relationship between the world’s two largest economies.
The meeting attracted considerable attention because Washington and Beijing continue to face disagreements over trade, technology, Taiwan and other strategic issues.
The summit nevertheless highlighted an effort by both sides to maintain dialogue and prevent tensions from escalating further.
Putin welcomed the US-China negotiations, saying he would support any agreement that produced positive results.
He also acknowledged the enormous influence of both countries, noting that decisions taken by the United States and China have consequences far beyond their borders.
Attention has now shifted to the possibility of the three leaders meeting at the APEC summit in China.
Putin, however, remained cautious about his own participation, saying his travel plans would depend on developments inside Russia.
Earlier in September, reports indicated that a possible Trump-Xi-Putin meeting at the APEC gathering in Shenzhen had been discussed, although the exact arrangements remained uncertain.
Such a meeting would bring together the leaders of three countries whose relationships are central to the current balance of global power.
The Russian president also used the press conference to respond to warnings from European officials about the possibility of Russia launching military action against European countries.
Putin dismissed those claims and accused European leaders of frightening their populations with what he described as unfounded allegations.
He also criticised Estonia’s Defence Minister Martin Herem over calls for military mobilisation in preparation for a possible war.
Putin mocked Estonia’s size, comparing its population with the size of Russia’s armed forces.
European governments have continued to express concern about Russia’s military intentions, while Moscow has repeatedly denied that it is preparing an attack on Europe. (Türkiye Today)
The war in Ukraine was also part of Putin’s remarks.
He said proposals for ending the conflict remained on the table but insisted that Moscow would examine any possible settlement according to Russia’s interests.
Putin further claimed that Moscow had been prepared to resume negotiations with Kyiv after Russia’s parliamentary elections, but accused Ukraine of launching attacks, including against polling stations in Moscow.
He also blamed recent escalation on attacks against civilian-linked facilities and said Russia had responded to what he described as those actions.
Reuters separately reported that Putin said all settlement proposals remained available, while Moscow would first assess whether their terms served its interests.
The comments place Putin’s remarks on Trump and Xi within a much broader geopolitical picture: Washington and Beijing are attempting to manage their rivalry, Moscow remains engaged in the war in Ukraine, and speculation continues over whether the three powers could eventually sit around the same table.
For now, Putin’s message is that Moscow is watching the changing relationship between Washington and Beijing closely—but does not see international diplomacy through the language of jealousy.
