As Russian President Vladimir Putin meets his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, Russia is seeking to deepen ties with China, a partnership increasingly vital to Moscow. Chinese firms are reshaping Russia’s industry, replacing Western companies that left after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, including in car manufacturing.

Trade remains focused on Russian raw materials and Chinese industrial goods, though it recently declined. With Europe reducing energy imports, Russia is growing more dependent on China, which holds the stronger position.