Parade Drums, Diplomatic Deals: China and Russia Orchestrate a Busy Week

The cadence of a military parade set the rhythm, but the melody came from a suite of agreements and a pipeline pact.
Putin declared the partnership at its zenith, praising Xi as a trusted counterpart.
Kim Jong-un’s attendance, with Kim Ju-ae, provided a rare North Korean spotlight.
Putin’s meeting with Robert Fico emphasized energy calculus and European policy fractures.
Visa-free entry for Russians and deepened cooperation turned choreography into continuity.