Kim Jong-un arrived by armored train as Beijing prepared armored columns for a Victory Day parade.
Putin and Xi exchanged praise and papers, elevating cooperation to new heights.
The spectacle was matched by substance: a pipeline delivering massive gas volumes to China for 30 years.
Putin’s meeting with Robert Fico underscored ongoing debates within Europe on sanctions and energy routes.
Visa-free travel for Russians and trilateral themes with Mongolia suggested broader regional ambitions.