Though the fate of the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline remains unclear, Putin managed to secure 41 agreements in Beijing – plus a joint tirade against Europe and the US.

Vladimir Putin is travelling to Beijing for talks with Xi Jinping, where he is expected to promote the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline project and broader energy cooperation.

Russia has been pushing for years to build a new pipeline to China to deliver billions of dollars' worth of natural gas to its close ally.