# WSJ: The leader Xi Jinping once called his ‘role model’ is now Beijing’s supplicant, and China is making Putin wait for the gas deal Moscow badly needs

> **Newsylist Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-07-15 08:29 UTC · Category: World · Sources: 6 · Current Velocity: 3.67

## Executive Summary
Geopolitical reports highlight a shifting power dynamic between China and Russia as Beijing exerts new pressure on Moscow regarding energy negotiations.

## Intelligence Brief
Beijing is currently delaying a gas deal sought by Moscow, prompting reports that the relationship between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin has undergone a significant reversal. While Xi previously referred to Putin as a role model, recent coverage describes Putin as a junior partner to Beijing.


Outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Hindustan Times, and Livemint emphasize the growing economic dependence of Russia on China. UNITED24 Media and Meduza report on Beijing's stance in these negotiations, framing the interaction as a move by China to solidify its position as the dominant partner.


Future developments will depend on the terms of the pending gas agreement. Coverage does not yet specify when negotiations might conclude or if Russia will accept the pricing structure currently proposed by China.

## Verified Facts & Key Claims
### What is the status of the gas deal between China and Russia?
China is making Russia wait for the deal while pushing for cheaper gas prices.

### How is the relationship between the two leaders characterized?
Coverage suggests a shift from Xi Jinping viewing Vladimir Putin as a role model to Putin now being viewed as a junior partner or supplicant.

### Are there reports on the future of this partnership?
Reports indicate that China is preparing for a post-Putin Russia.

## Key People, Organizations & Locations
China, Russia, Putin, Moscow, WSJ, Xi Jinping, Putin Was, Role Model Now

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Published (UTC) | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| livemint.com | Putin was Xi’s role model. Now he’s the junior partner. | 2026-07-15 00:01 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqAFBVV95cUxQbXAyQmc2RnVHS1FIWXRBYklZR2EwVnFrTlhpTDZOb0NXYU5NQmhiWGRfd244d0pkTHNYNTRISm9UTTFRZDVmNHR0TW9kekNOYVMyQVRhTnNVeHllSXQ1bkJfTExoR2ZLdlV2bTFsY0FmNHlkZHpqNGYxUmRJdHlGRDdpcEMtdVM0Q3BxVTF6Wk9vVHB3S0w5OEZxN3hTNm1yWHJrYnJBYkE?oc=5) |
| Межа. Новини України. | China pushes Russia to accept cheaper gas deal, exposing growing dependence | 2026-07-15 00:01 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMibEFVX3lxTFA5c3duSVA5Nl9zRm8weEY5YkVieHQyWHBDcV9oV3NCLXBCdWxVUVhucGp3TlQtLWdDZkU5SWgyMlZfLWJLYi1Sai00RVJBbFhvVUNyclB4Z1hUQUhTckE4SGFXa0VaSzRUU3prcQ?oc=5) |
| Hindustan Times | Putin Was Xi’s Role Model. Now He’s the Junior Partner. | 2026-07-15 00:01 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitwFBVV95cUxOWHN2VzlJeDlma0Q1RWhIdHhZTlZNMk91a2llYXVlTVdraFB1SGVFczg1X2s0WXNQbEhjaTZtckFzMFVqZFVodHJpZnNSb2Y2Zkt4aHJqdDQ5WmJFRjYyNGhJU05nWWNsWTc3bTVRUXU0R1pRNWNJMG1BWUVBV3JuUjhnZFlreVJ0OWZ4UTlHU3RuY1Y0M1g1ZmpNY2pPeVdjWFQ1N0o2RTRTVUZ1V0JNN2oxaE96WlE?oc=5) |
| UNITED24 Media | How China Is Already Preparing for a Post-Putin Russia | 2026-07-15 00:01 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilwFBVV95cUxNMGZOQXJfNXRkd3VOUmUwdVNwVFU1R1cyNXRiMEV0Z0lpRVhEMWdWaGRISjZmY0RaMW1PTS1KdXM0bXpWMktHMjlGdnZXMHBOb0lXZGtGckJFdHUyTGFJRWx0bmlWak9sYlRmMHFuWmh6dmhzSjRzRmF2OWlUNE9Mb1RTWF9QMU5ZLWpYbkNBbkZ1VV9ZcWtJ?oc=5) |
| WSJ | How Xi Went From Admiring Putin to Managing Him | 2026-07-15 00:01 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikgFBVV95cUxObGtuZy1QcW84NldmZ25LSEszaWpoenZTa3ZlSFV4VHpFOWJnazEtUy1WcV9rYVBEM3Bha3ZtYlpTNUM3aTVDTUJuZWZpc1lBUmN4V0dVQWtIUXFHQXVPUUotajJra3V6Z0NIbjNNQ2IwN3pPdG5qYWtseEVBUXZvMFJzbko2RlVxUVRPSGZ5N2tRdw?oc=5) |
| Meduza | WSJ: The leader Xi Jinping once called his ‘role model’ is now Beijing’s supplicant, and China is making Putin wait for the gas deal Moscow badly needs | 2026-07-15 00:01 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilgJBVV95cUxPWmRwOGc2RUNBN2dveGEwcjRQRUpGV3QwQ2ZIVllReElmMW5SMlVRRE82N0luN09XMFlQSWc5aWNfMXFlVXJQTi1FR3VLdEtkSmhPMjdjUmJCSm1PUlBtc0pRZ1MtS05NYzlaWVJsSE1sZHpMdDV3YUNuSmxCR1RGUWUzM2V0MmVDRTZXbGVaakNmZEhnaFI4ODllaHhmb1MtSmgzcUM3bDlBeU9RSF9zX3d2Tm1Dc3pHWmtPbnZIYmlVVkhZQ0M4dUNfZDNZTWZhR1NiaEdrTGh0VkMzV21Id2JYZ21sWlNoTmV3MFA4LUpUclBvemhlOWJTTTdUZ0QxWEI4NHRQenRhZlNPS3NkZVA4Mnctd9IBmwJBVV95cUxQUGx4alNfTi1kNENZUFlraTE2ZEpmV1RxSXhrbS1HSm1FQlRub1U2bTYtN08zSHZQaXdLc2d) |

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