Vladimir Putin hailed Xi Jinping as his “dear friend” at the start of a three-day visit by the Chinese president designed to strengthen a new-found alliance that has been forged in the face of pressure on both countries by the US.
Mr Xi arrived in Russia on Wednesday as one of the Russian president’s closest foreign allies. His visit will include the signing of new trade deals and investment pledges, alongside expected joint rhetorical sallies against what they see as US over-reach.
With both Moscow and Beijing under fire from the US — whether through sanctions or President Donald Trump’s trade war — Mr Putin and Mr Xi have struck up a warm friendship that defies decades of mistrust between their countries.