Putin Visiting Beijing as Biden ‘Bogged Down’ in Efforts to Undermine Russia, China

The diplomatic trip – the first of Putin’s new term as president – signifies the close relationship between the two leaders; Xi also made Moscow his first stop after beginning his third term as Chinese president in 2023. The United States has criticized ongoing ties between the two nations, recently sanctioning Chinese companies it claims are contributing to Russia’s special military operation through the trade of “dual use” products, but Beijing has insisted on its sovereign right to continue economic cooperation with the country.