The Winter Olympics will be festively opened in Beijing on Friday, but that is not the only event in the metropolis that receives media attention.
On Thursday, the Russian president arrived at Beijing airport and was taken with a large escort to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
The two allies have a whole laundry list of topics to discuss, and no doubt the situation with Ukraine will also be on the table.
Beijing shows understanding for Putin’s stance in his neighbour, but Xi may advise against an invasion so that the Winter Games remain in the spotlight.