Xi Hosts Putin in Beijing as Pipeline Deal Stalls
Xi hosted Putin with ceremonies like those for Trump, but China withheld a final Power of Siberia 2 pipeline commitment and the leaders signed about 20 documents.
Overview
Vladimir Putin left Beijing without a final agreement on the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline.
Xi Jinping welcomed Putin with ceremonies nearly identical to those given to Donald Trump.
The Kremlin offered guarded comments, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying a "basic understanding" on pipeline parameters was reached and aide Yuri Ushakov saying the "spirit of Beijing" exists.
Russia sought a 1,600-mile, $15 billion Power of Siberia 2 to carry about 50 billion cubic meters annually, and the two leaders signed around 20 documents.
China cited pricing and dependence limits, offered no start date for the pipeline, noted construction could take 8 to 10 years, and four U.S. LNG tankers were expected to arrive in China between June 15 and 28.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the visits as evidence of China’s rising dominance over Russia by amplifying evaluative phrasing (e.g., "limits to the love," "growing imbalance," "power player") and juxtaposing Putin with Trump. Quoted lines are source content, but editorial placement, emphasis on ceremonial optics, and omission of negotiation specifics produce a narrative of asymmetric partnership.