Putin, Xi Meet, Unity Signaled but Pipeline Deal Fails
Get the Geopolitics newsletter
Daily geopolitics — wars, elections, sanctions, the diplomatic moves that move markets. Free.
- Putin met Xi in a high‑profile summit where Xi gave Putin a red‑carpet welcome.
- Xi and Putin publicly emphasized strategic unity but did not finalize a Russian‑sought pipeline agreement.
- Xi delivered a veiled criticism of the United States during the talks.
- Xi had recently hosted Trump in China before the summit with Putin.
Why it matters: After the May 20, 2026 assessment, the pipeline deal remains unresolved, stalling Russia's export plans and pushing China to look elsewhere for gas.
