For Russia’s president, Xi’s visit is a diplomatic coup showing much needed international support as Moscow becomes increasingly isolated. For Chinese President Xi Jinping it is a chance to play a global peacemaker and to project China’s power in the face of warnings from the United States. The message from the US on the other hand is clear – Beijing will endure harsh sanctions if it provides Moscow with weapons for its war in Ukraine. Xi and Putin are determined to craft a new world order. One that, according to them, does not follow dictates from the world’s sole super power.