Parallel diplomacy is occurring in St. Petersburg with significant trilateral meeting discussions underway. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff. Immediately following this, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, second-highest in the CCP hierarchy, met with Putin. Putin's aide Yury Ushakov revealed that China is preparing for a trilateral meeting involving Russia, the US, and China. This meeting could take place during the upcoming APEC summit in Shenzhen on November 17-18, if circumstances are favorable. Experts have been working on the meeting and have outlined potential key topics. However, Ushakov noted that a single meeting would not resolve the war in Ukraine. Ukraine's President Zelensky insists on Ukrainian representation in any peace talks. Trump, however, believes Zelensky is not helping to stop the war and is open to a trilateral meeting without him, suggesting it focus on nuclear proliferation. Putin reportedly first suggested the trilateral meeting idea to Trump on October 9. A meeting on Chinese soil would elevate China's diplomatic role. China has indicated it would not object if Trump is on board. Trump has stated he is open to participating if President Xi agrees, likely in China.