As Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares for his heavily choreographed May 9 “Victory Day” military parade, he’s been clear who’s at the top of his guest list: Xi Jinping.

The Trump administration has said it wants to pull apart Russia and China, but the two countries need each other too much.

Moscow and Beijing declared a 'no limits partnership' weeks before Putin ordered Russia's Ukraine offensive in February 2022. The expanded military and trade ties since have troubled the West.