Xi and Putin – What do they really want from each other?

Xi and Putin – What do they really want from each other?

From This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler by Podmasters

June 4, 2026 · 24 min · Season 5 · Episode 144

About this episode

The episode discusses the relationship between Russia and China, focusing on their needs from each other and the implications for global geopolitics.

Beyond the pomp and pageantry of Vladimir Putin’s Beijing summit with Xi Jinping, what do Russia and China need from each other? And how strong is their relationship? Plus, coming hot on the heels of Donald Trump’s own Beijing visit, what does it mean for the geopolitical balance in an era of great power competition? Gavin Esler joins Joseph Webster, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and editor of the independent China-Russia Report to discuss. • Support us on Patreon to keep This Is Not A Drill producing thought-provoking podcasts like this. Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Gavin Esler

Guest: Joseph Webster

Topics covered

  • geopolitics
  • China-Russia relations
  • great power competition
  • summit analysis
  • international politics

Keywords

  • Xi Jinping
  • Vladimir Putin
  • Donald Trump
  • geopolitical balance
  • China-Russia Report

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Atlantic Council, This Is Not A Drill, Podmasters

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