Overview
- Russia's Sergei Lavrov met Xi Jinping in Beijing's Great Hall of the People on Wednesday and offered extra oil and gas to cover China’s shortfalls from the Iran war.
- Russian state media said Vladimir Putin plans to visit China in the first half of 2026, with some reports pointing to the week of May 18.
- China hosted other affected leaders this week, including Vietnam’s party chief To Lam and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed, as it sought coordination on the Gulf crisis.
- Premier Li Qiang told the UAE leader that China stands ready to play a constructive role to restore calm in the Gulf, and state outlets stressed keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for energy flows.
- Lavrov accused the United States of seeking control of Iranian oil, while both sides highlighted a partnership that has tightened since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.