From the Great Hall to Xi’s Residence: Putin and Xi Signal Durable Alignment

The choreography of talks—from formal halls to private residence—underscored closeness between the two leaders.
Putin emphasized an “unprecedented” high in ties, locking in a long-term gas agreement and a host of cooperation documents.
Kim Jong-un’s armored train arrival, with Kim Ju-ae, signaled North Korea’s renewed public presence alongside Beijing and Moscow.
Putin met Robert Fico to discuss energy flows and Europe’s stance on Ukraine, differentiating EU membership from NATO expansion concerns.
Beijing extended visa-free travel to Russians and championed deeper cooperation with Mongolia, aligning with the pipeline’s path.