Russian President Vladimir Putin visited China on May 20 and was given a warm reception by Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a military band played the Russian song "Moscow Nights" during their walk along the red carpet to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing [1, 2, 3]. The two leaders emphasized their longstanding personal relationship, describing their countries’ ties as strategic cooperation, partnership, mutual respect, friendship, and trust. They have met more than 40 times over the years. Xi Jinping called Putin "my old friend," while Putin referred to Xi as "my dear friend" [1].
Putin and Xi used the summit to criticize the United States’ nuclear policy and condemned former President Donald Trump's plan for the Golden Dome missile defense shield [1, 3]. A Russian government newspaper contrasted photos of Trump leaving China alone with images of Putin and Xi walking together, symbolizing Russia-China solidarity [1, 2, 3].
Russia aimed to advance the Power of Siberia 2 natural gas pipeline project, which would supply Russian gas from Western Siberia to northern China via Mongolia to partly replace lost European markets. A memorandum of understanding on the pipeline was signed in 2025. However, during this visit, the Kremlin announced only a "general understanding on the parameters" was reached, with no final deal signed [1, 2, 3].
Chinese hesitation has been linked to pricing disagreements and concerns about excessive dependence on Russian fossil fuels, according to sources [1, 2, 3]. Russian officials expressed disappointment but said they were not surprised by the absence of a final agreement [1, 2, 3].
Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said during the summit: "‘The spirit of Beijing’ exists, but I have never used the phrase ‘the spirit of Anchorage,’" referring to earlier remarks on US-Russia relations [2, 3].
The summit continued the close but pragmatic relationship between Russia and China, shaped by mutual geopolitical interests rather than personal affection, despite media references to a "bromance" [1, 2, 3]. The two leaders are expected to maintain consultations, but no further immediate deadlines for finalizing the pipeline agreement were announced.
