In this article, we will analyse carefully the recent ceremonial manifestations of Sino–Russian joint statements and illustrate that the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 is a kind of stress test of their relationship. The new Sino–Russian relationship of the Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin era rests on a solid foundation—the common goal of resisting the hegemonic policies of the United States and Western values of liberalism. However, closer observation of this foundation reveals that it is built on a mire of latent but discernible historical distrust. We will carry out a detailed analysis of Sino–Russian joint statements and communication between the leaders that constitute the highest form of a state-to-state relationship. By analysing these joint declarations before and after outbreak of the Ukraine War, we can discern that the war has cast a shadow over the Sino–Russian relationship. Donald Trump’s second term strategy of containing China and driving a wedge between Sino–Russian relations has had the reverse outcome—it has brought China and Russia once again closer to each other. However, the isolationist policies of Trump have opened for China novel possibilities to strengthen its global position whilst Russia remains a bystander as the remaking of the new world order is ongoing.