During their most recent meeting, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping celebrated a significant milestone in their relationship as they held their 40th bilateral summit. The meeting was described as being filled with bromance imagery, with China’s state-controlled People’s Daily revealing that it was a more intimate gathering with only a few aides present in addition to the larger formal sessions. Xi even attempted to give Putin a bear hug, showcasing their close bond.
During the meeting, the two leaders also recognized the 75th anniversary of ties between their countries and celebrated Putin’s recent presidential “election” win. They reaffirmed their commitment to a 2030 development plan and declared a “new starting point” for further cooperation between Russia and China. This was seen as a sign of their intentions to align their strategies more closely in the future.