Xi to visit North Korea, major party reshuffles in Beijing
Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit North Korea next week — his first trip there since 2019 — signaling a renewed push in diplomatic engagement on the Korean Peninsula. Domestically, Xi's top aide Cai Qi has taken the helm of the Central Party School, further consolidating his influence. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, a candidate for UN secretary-general, underscoring China's diplomatic maneuvering at the UN level.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sent a personal open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling for direct face-to-face peace negotiations. Putin responded by dismissing the idea, stating there is 'no point' in meeting Zelensky under current conditions and reaffirming Russia's military objectives in Ukraine. The exchange comes amid ongoing tensions, with no sign of a breakthrough in diplomatic channels.