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Symbolic display of unity in Beijing
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping projected a close alliance during a high-profile meeting in Beijing, where a Chinese military band played the Russian classic Moscow Nights as the two walked the red carpet toward the Great Hall of the People.
Public exchanges between the leaders underscored their personal rapport. Putin addressed Xi as "my dear friend," while Xi reciprocated with "my old friend." The two have met over 40 times, framing their relationship as one built on "strategic cooperation," "mutual respect," and "trust."
"If only you knew how these Moscow Nights are dear to me,"
the song's refrain echoed as the leaders entered, lending a theatrical air to the diplomatic encounter.
Joint criticism of U.S. policies
In their public statements, Putin and Xi condemned U.S. nuclear strategy as "irresponsible" and opposed former President Donald Trump's proposed Golden Dome missile defense system. Russian state media reinforced the message of solidarity, publishing a front-page spread contrasting a solitary Trump boarding Air Force One with an archival image of Putin and Xi walking side by side.
The visual juxtaposition left little doubt about the intended narrative: Russia and China stand united on the global stage.
Limits of the alliance revealed
Despite the public displays of camaraderie, the summit exposed underlying tensions, particularly in energy cooperation. Russia has pushed for progress on the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, which would deliver additional gas from Western Siberia to northern China via Mongolia. The project aims to offset lost European markets, but Beijing has shown little urgency in finalizing the deal.
While a memorandum of understanding was signed last year, negotiations have stalled over pricing and concerns about over-reliance on Russian fossil fuels. On Wednesday, the Kremlin announced only a "general understanding on the parameters" of the project, with no timeline for a final agreement.
Russian officials acknowledged the friction, with a government newspaper noting, "The positions of Russia and China are not identical. Their interests do not always coincide." The same publication had earlier featured the image of Putin and Xi together, underscoring the gap between symbolism and substance.
Geopolitical pragmatism over sentiment
Analysts emphasize that the relationship is rooted in strategic interests rather than personal affinity. "With two countries of this size, both with a great-power psyche, it couldn't be any other way," the Russian state media conceded.
The dynamic mirrors past diplomatic overtures, including the short-lived "spirit of Anchorage" between Putin and Trump. After their 2025 meeting in Alaska, Russian officials hinted at a mutual understanding to end the war in Ukraine on Moscow's terms. Yet the conflict persisted, and the optimism faded.
At the Beijing summit, Putin's foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov, dismissed the Anchorage rhetoric, stating, "I never used that phrase." Instead, he declared the existence of a "spirit of Beijing"-a nod to the current, if cautious, alignment.
What's next
The summit concluded without major breakthroughs, leaving key issues like the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline unresolved. Observers note that while Russia and China share a common adversary in the U.S., their partnership remains transactional, shaped by shifting global power dynamics rather than enduring loyalty.
