The economic crisis and drop in oil prices has really brought forward some interesting and contrasting views on Russia – from those who think this regime and their ways of doing things are toast, to those who believe the Kremlin will come out on the either side stronger than ever. Judging by the wide range of loans, energy/pipeline deals, and political cooperation agreements recently signed between Moscow and Beijing, it would appear that China has situated itself in the latter camp – giving a vote of confidence in the survival of Russia’s petrostate authoritarianism, despite recent divisions. But is this a sound judgment and a reliable prediction for future relations between the two countries, or just a hasty moment of mutually colliding interests?