Putin proposes meeting with Trump, China's Xi, but not Zelensky, to discuss possible Ukraine deal

Russian President Vladimir Putin is floating a possible meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping next month to negotiate an end to the conflict in Ukraine. 

The summit would favor Russia and wouldn't include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing an unnamed Russian intelligence officer. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed there are discussions on a potential meeting, but there's no clear agenda for the proposed summit. 

Putin floated the idea of a meeting in a phone call with Trump on Oct. 9, which also produced the agreement on lifting sanctions to increase Russian diesel exports, according to the Journal's source.

The meeting reflects an attempt by Putin to hone the warming relations he's had with Trump, and it raises concern with Ukrainian allies in Washington and Europe.