In Beijing, the 80th Victory Day parade witnessed the convergence of Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Kim Jong-un, a historic first. Xi Jinping used the occasion to display China’s military prowess, positioning himself as a prominent figure on the global stage.
Following the parade, a bilateral meeting between Putin and Kim captured international interest. Lasting over an hour, the discussions centered on reinforcing the existing relationship between the two leaders.
Putin formally invited Kim Jong-un to visit Russia during their meeting in Beijing. At the conclusion of their talks, Kim expressed anticipation for a future meeting, to which Putin replied, expressing readiness to welcome Kim to Russia. The discussions were not merely ceremonial; according to TASS, Russian state media, the two leaders engaged in a private, confidential conversation that lasted approximately an hour.