Xi snubbed Putin after their summit, calling a meeting of Central Asian countries as part of an audacious power play

• China's President Xi Jinping has made a power move timed with his visit to Russia. 
• He set up a new meeting of Central Asian countries the week, muscling in on Russia's backyard.
• The Kremlin has long seen ex-Soviet republics as part of its sphere of influence. 

China's President Xi Jinping has called a meeting of ex-Soviet Central Asian countries, in an audacious power play in Russia's back yard the week of his summit with Russia's President Vladimir Putin.