After all, China-Russia relations are at a high. Successful summits, kindered spirits over Snowden and Syria. But now it’s revealed that Russia is supplying ships for the Vietnamese navy to defend their territory against China.

Beijing has numerous disputes with its neighbors. In such a charged environment, it’s interesting that Russia is aiding the regional thorn in China’s side. The reality is that Russia’s economy under Putin is sinking fast, and Moscow needs whatever trade it can get.