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Trump, Putin and Xi to discuss nuclear arms at Shenzhen summit
Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping are expected to meet on the sidelines of next week’s Apec summit in Shenzhen, in a rare gathering of the leaders of the US, Russia and China. The White House says Trump intends to discuss reducing nuclear weapons, as the three countries face growing strategic tensions and the end of a key US-Russia arms-control treaty.
Trump is due in Shenzhen late Wednesday for the two-day summit, and is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Xi on Thursday. Iran may be discussed, but Ukraine is not expected to be on the agenda, and a senior US official said no agreement was expected. The US and Russia’s nuclear treaty expired in February, while China is expanding its arsenal; Beijing has not confirmed the trilateral meeting, though Moscow has.
In short
- Trump, Putin and Xi are expected to meet in Shenzhen.
- Nuclear weapons reduction is set to be discussed.
- No agreement is expected, and China has not confirmed the meeting.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
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The case for
A trilateral discussion could help reduce the risk of miscalculation among the countries with the largest nuclear arsenals, especially as the US-Russia treaty has expired and China is expanding its forces. Even without an immediate agreement, direct talks could build trust, clarify intentions and create a path towards future arms-control measures.
The case against
A meeting may create the appearance of progress without addressing the conditions needed for verifiable, durable arms control, particularly when no agreement is expected and China has not confirmed it will take part. Critics could argue that focusing on nuclear dialogue risks giving strategic rivals political cover while wider tensions and security concerns remain unresolved.
Explained simply
The United States and Russia have long held the largest nuclear arsenals, while China’s is smaller but growing. Nuclear arms-control treaties set limits or rules for these weapons, helping the countries manage the risk of an arms race.
The US and Russia’s main treaty limiting their nuclear weapons expired in February, leaving fewer agreed limits between them. Any talks involving all three countries matter because their decisions on nuclear weapons affect international security, even though China has not confirmed the proposed meeting.
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Originally published by BBC World as “Trump, Putin and Xi plan historic joint meeting in China next week, White House says”.