Engaging in music is not new for Blinken in his diplomatic endeavors. He performed during the launch of a musical diplomacy initiative and played in his own band before becoming Secretary of State.

“And listen, I know this is a really, really difficult time,” Blinken said from the stage of Barman Dictat, where he was surrounded by the members of 19.99, a local Ukrainian rock band.

ROME--U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as part of the Group of 20 summit on Sunday--an outreach designed to ensure that the intensely competitive ...