Tanks, Trains, and Gas Lines: The Beijing Summit Week in Five Acts

Act I: Putin meets Xi, calling ties historically strong and signing a raft of deals.
Act II: Kim Jong-un arrives by armored train, daughter at his side, as a possible Putin–Kim rendezvous looms.
Act III: Beijing’s Victory Day parade showcases military muscle 80 years after Japan’s defeat.
Act IV: Putin and Slovakia’s Fico discuss Europe’s energy map and Ukraine’s EU vs NATO path.
Act V: Power of Siberia 2 and visa-free entry for Russians ground the spectacle in long-term commitments.