Putin arrived in Beijing weakened by years of its war on Ukraine, as sanctions by Western powers put the squeeze on Russian energy revenues.
But as Washington’s war in Iran opens an opportunity to push energy-hungry partners to seek alternatives, Putin may use the occasion to prod China to move faster on a key gas pipeline,
Moscow is already heavily dependent economically on Beijing, the main buyer of sanctioned Russian oil.
In a video message to the Chinese people released hours before his arrival on Tuesday, Putin said relations have reached “a truly unprecedented level”, and that “trade between Russia and China continues to grow”.
“The close strategic relationship between Russia and China plays a major, stabilising role globally. Without allying against anyone, we seek peace and universal prosperity,” Putin said, in a veiled reference to the US.