I’d guess the Russians want to hold their friends (Chinese) close and their enemies (Iranians) closer. It’s a variant of being very aware when in strange territory.
China can’t afford to loose us. Russia has already had it’s milatary tangle with Trump in Syria and the results were piss poor for Putin. Iran, that’s a dance with us and Israel. Neither side is that stupid!
Towards the end times there will be Wars and rumors of wars.