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Xi and Putin Reaffirm Partnership in Beijing as Gas Pipeline Deal Stalls

The visit leaves China with leverage over Russia by pairing dozens of cooperation pacts with no agreed price or timetable for the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline.

Overview

  • Russian President Vladimir Putin met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday for a two-day state visit that followed President Donald Trump's trip to the capital.
  • The two leaders signed roughly 40 cooperation documents and extended their 2001 friendship treaty to publicly deepen political and economic ties.
  • Moscow and Beijing reached only a "basic understanding" on the proposed Power of Siberia 2 pipeline with core route and construction parameters agreed but key matters such as pricing, financing and a delivery timetable left unresolved.
  • Russian officials reported a sharp rise in oil exports to China, saying shipments climbed about 35% in the first quarter of 2026, and both sides noted growing trade settled in yuan and rubles to reduce dollar exposure.
  • Their joint statement condemned unilateral "hegemonic" actions, called for negotiations or ceasefires in the Middle East and urged a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine war, reflecting coordinated geopolitical messaging as China boosts its role as a broker.