The differences — and similarities — in the Trump and Putin visits to China

On the surface, Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s back-to-back summits with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin looked pretty similar, with formal handshakes in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square,

Putin, Following Trump, Visits the World’s Center Stage

“Xi has consolidated this position that Great Power politics now must go through Beijing,” one expert tells TIME.

Putin in Beijing: 3 things Russia needs from China

Russia will be looking for energy and trade deals with China, as well as continuing geopolitical support.

As Putin visits China, distrust simmers beneath an anti-U.S. alliance

Back-to-back visits to Beijing by the American and Russian presidents are highlighting how China's Xi Jinping is the world leader to be reckoned with and courted.

Putin visits China to reaffirm Russia ties as Xi also seeks stable U.S. relations after Trump summit

His two-day visit is likely to be closely watched as Beijing seeks to maintain stable relations with the United States while also preserving strong ties with Russia.

Putin heads to Beijing days after Trump in test of China's balancing act

Beijing walks into the summit with the stronger hand while Moscow seeks reassurance that China has not drifted toward Washington after Trump's visit.

As a Weakened Putin Follows Trump to Beijing, Iran War Offers an Opening

With the upheaval in the Persian Gulf disrupting oil and gas supplies, Russia is looking to deepen its energy ties to China.

Putin using Africa as ‘purse’ for Ukraine war while US faces ‘intelligence black hole’: commander

U.S. Africa Command leader says Africa serves as Putin's purse, fueling Russia's war in Ukraine through resource extraction and recruitment networks.