Are Xi and Putin still ‘best friends’? – The Latest

Xi Jinping recently welcomed Vladimir Putin to Beijing with significant ceremony. This meeting occurred shortly after Xi hosted Donald Trump. The article explores the implications of a growing power imbalance in the relationship between Xi and Putin, driven by Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and Moscow's increasing reliance on China. Concurrently, Western leaders are improving their relations with Beijing. The discussion, featuring Lucy Hough and Devika Bhat, deputy head of international news at The Guardian, examines how these dynamics are shaping the Xi-Putin relationship.