‘Dear Friend’ Optics: Putin and Xi Spotlight Alliance as Kim Arrives by Armored Train

Putin’s warm words for Xi—calling him a “dear friend”—bookended talks that projected a unified front between Moscow and Beijing. The timing amplified the message before a high-profile military parade.
Kim Jong-un’s armored train pulled into Beijing with his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, in a rare international debut. A meeting between Putin and Kim was described as likely, raising questions about security coordination.
The Victory Day parade will commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat, with tanks and jets expected to dominate the display.
On the sidelines, Putin met Slovakia’s Robert Fico, praising an “independent” stance and proposing energy moves affecting Ukraine. Putin separated EU membership for Ukraine from NATO expansion, framing the latter as Moscow’s core concern.
China and Russia advanced a strategic energy pact—Power of Siberia 2—while Beijing opened visa-free travel to Russians from 15 September and touted closer trilateral ties with Mongolia.