Putin wasted no time buttering up China after his election victory

• Russian President Vladimir Putin praised and touted ties with China right after his election victory.
• Russia is increasingly turning toward China as an alternative market for its sanctions-hit economy.
• Trade between Russia and China reached $240 billion in 2023, a 26% rise from the previous year.

Fresh out of a carefully engineered presidential-election victory on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin wasted no time getting on Beijing's good side.