WorldWSJ: Xi Jinping’s former ‘role model’ is now Beijing’s supplicant as China keeps Moscow waiting on gas deal

The Wall Street Journal says more than four years of war and economic isolation have reshaped the balance between Russia and China. Vladimir Putin, once described by Xi Jinping as a “role model,” is now portrayed as a supplicant and junior partner. Moscow and Beijing continue to present their relationship as a strong and equal alliance. Yet the newspaper argues that the partnership rests on limited foundations, with substantially more room for disagreement than is visible. China’s delay over a gas agreement Russia urgently needs is presented as one sign of how far the balance has shifted toward Beijing.

Russia-China relationsVladimir PutinXi Jinpinggas deal

MMeduza★★★★☆2026-07-15 00:01Original