President Vladimir Putin addressed a live audience at the third Belt and Road forum in Beijing on Wednesday, marked a rare international appearance for the Russian leader since the war in Ukraine began. Putin invited other countries to help develop the Northern Sea Route shipping lane along Russia's Arctic coast, saying it aligns with China's Belt and Road Initiative to increase Europe-Asia connectivity and trade. Russia aims to connect its ports in the Baltic and Arctic seas to the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean via the Northern Sea Route as well as new rail links through Siberia. Xi Jinping announced over $350 billion in new funding for the Belt and Road Initiative and pledged to focus on green infrastructure projects.