Putin bows to Xi

Putin bows to Xi: The Russian strongman is now the junior partner to the president of China after his humiliation at Moscow summit, says CHRIS PLEASANCE

To hear Putin and Xi sell it, Russia and China are ‘dear friends’ and equal partners in a mutually-beneficial alliance.

But after their summit in Moscow last week, there can be little doubt that China holds the whip-hand over the Kremlin.

Xi got Putin to agree to a host of trade deals that will benefit Beijing while the Russian leader failed to secure weapons for his war in Ukraine or a lucrative deal for a new gas pipe.

It is a stunning reversal of their historic relationship which saw the Russian Empire and then the Soviet Union bully and belittle its smaller and weaker neighbour.

Here is how Xi Jinping has cleverly exploited Putin’s humiliation in Ukraine to weaken Russia, strengthen China, and establish himself as heir-apparent to the Western world order.

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