Russian President Vladimir Putin is traveling to China this weekend aiming to reinforce economic partnerships as financial strains intensify due to ongoing military commitments in Ukraine. With Western sanctions continuing to restrict access to global markets, Moscow is increasingly turning toward Beijing and New Delhi to maintain trade flows and stabilize its economy. n nThe visit comes at a critical juncture, as U.S. policies, including proposed tariffs on India if it continues purchasing discounted Russian oil, could disrupt one of Russia’s key export channels. Such measures may place additional strain on an already constrained fiscal outlook, especially as defense spending remains elevated. n nAt the upcoming summit, Putin is expected to discuss deeper energy cooperation, expanded use of local currencies in bilateral trade, and joint infrastructure initiatives. While the appearance of unity with major non-Western powers serves a strategic diplomatic purpose, underlying economic vulnerabilities persist. Russia’s ability to sustain prolonged military engagement hinges on its success in maintaining stable trade relationships beyond traditional Western markets. n
— news from The Washington Post
— News Original —
Putin heads to China to shore up trading partners as economic pressure rises
Trump’s tariffs on India to discourage it from buying Russian oil could have a severe impact on the already stretched budget as the economy reaches a decision point. n nAugust 31, 2025 at 6:00 a.m. EDTJust now n nRussian President Vladimir Putin is facing increasingly difficult economic choices to sustain the Ukraine war even as he seeks to present a united front with India and China at a summit this weekend and counter any U.S. pressure on his trading partners.