PUTIN PROPOSES TALKS WITH TRUMP AND XI—WITHOUT UKRAINE

Moscow reportedly wants the meeting held alongside November’s APEC summit in Shenzhen, China. The newspaper describes Putin’s objective as securing an outcome favorable to Russia.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that discussions were underway but acknowledged there was no agreement on the meeting or its agenda. Trump has not agreed to attend, according to the report. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio subsequently acknowledged discussions about a meeting without confirming that it had been finalized.

The proposed format itself deserves scrutiny. Russia would have a seat. The United States and China would have seats. Ukraine, whose territory, security and future would be under discussion, would be absent.

That arrangement would give Putin an opportunity to present Ukraine’s independence as something powerful countries can negotiate among themselves. It would also let Moscow pursue concessions without directly confronting the demands of the people enduring its invasion.

Washington and Beijing can discuss how to help end this war. But neither can supply Ukraine’s consent to territorial concessions, restrictions on its defenses or a future under Russian influence.