Behind the military pageantry lies a consequential energy pact: the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, set to ship 50bn cubic meters annually to China for three decades.
Putin and Xi celebrated a “dear friend” relationship, underscoring strategic depth on the eve of a major display of Chinese military hardware.
Kim Jong-un’s arrival by armored train—accompanied by daughter Kim Ju-ae—provided a dramatic subplot, with a possible Putin–Kim meeting on the cards.
Putin held talks with Slovakia’s Robert Fico, who has balked at certain EU sanctions. Putin highlighted that EU membership for Ukraine isn’t Russia’s core objection—NATO expansion is.
Beijing’s outreach included visa-free access for Russians from 15 September and a wider governance proposal at the SCO summit, which attracted attendance from India and Mongolia’s leadership.
38