Donning blue aprons, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, the Presidents of Russia and China, respectively, pour batter to make Blini, a Russian-style pancake. What could be a more appetising sight for proponents of a new global order?

On the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, the duo may have cooked up a united meal against the USA, which is waging a trade war with China and levelling sanctions on Russia.

After long hours of discussion on Tuesday, Putin had taken Xi down to the Far East Street, an exhibition of the region’s cultural and economic achievements at the Sea of Japan waterfront. There, they dined on self-made pancakes, along with some caviar and vodka.

As it turns out, this was not their first joint cooking expedition. In June 2018, Putin and Xi made Chinese pancakes and steamed buns with the help of local chefs ahead of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meet in China (video below).