Putin Was Xi’s Role Model. Now He’s the Junior Partner.

The relationship between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping has shifted significantly due to Russia's prolonged war and economic isolation. Once Putin looked up to Xi as a role model, but now he finds himself in a much less favorable position. This imbalance highlights the challenges Russia faces as it struggles to maintain its global standing amid ongoing conflict and sanctions, while China continues to grow more dominant on the world stage. This dynamic underscores the broader geopolitical shifts occurring in international relations.