Beijing’s diplomatic moment
Russian President Vladimir Putin may follow former U.S. President Donald Trump to Beijing in May, which would put both leaders in China the same month and boost Beijing’s convening power. Meanwhile, emergency G7 finance and energy meetings in France exposed limits in crisis response, underscoring a shift in diplomatic influence. (en.sedaily.com) (cnbc.com)
The White House announced President Trump’s rescheduled state visit to Beijing for May 14–15, 2026. (cnbc.com) Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said President Putin accepted an invitation from Xi Jinping to visit China in the first half of 2026 and that dates were being finalised. (tass.com) Multiple reports and analysts say Russian officials are lining up a visit that could fall in May, potentially after Trump’s trip, which would be an unusual back-to-back reception of the U.S. and Russian leaders in Beijing. (en.sedaily.com) The White House also confirmed Beijing and Washington agreed on a reciprocal visit by Xi to Washington at an unspecified date later this year. (cnbc.com) Under France’s 2026 G7 presidency, ministers have convened repeated emergency sessions since the Iran war began, with a March 9 virtual meeting of G7 finance ministers and central bank governors that included heads of the IMF, World Bank Group, OECD and IEA. (elysee.fr) The International Energy Agency announced a unanimous release of 400 million barrels from member emergency reserves on March 11, even as critics and officials flagged “meeting fatigue” and limited follow-through from successive G7 ministerial calls that left energy markets volatile. (iea.org)
