The Political Week in Photos

US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping told aides to plan an in-person meeting during a call this week in which both leaders warned one another about the rising risks of a confrontation over Taiwan.

European Union countries reached a political agreement to cut their gas use by 15% through next winter as the prospect of a full cut-off from Russian supplies becomes likely.

Former US President Donald Trump returned to Washington this week to assail President Joe Biden for rising crime and inflation while attacking the House panel investigating his role in the Capitol insurrection as “hacks and thugs.”

In the UK, Rishi Sunak conceded he was the underdog in the race to be the next Conservative Party leader and prime minister, but vowed to fight for every vote.

These were among the topics of this week’s most compelling political images.