At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Kazakhstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, demonstrating increasingly close cooperation between the two countries.
This second in-person meeting in such a short time is seen as a sign of strengthening cooperation between Russia and China. Indeed, Putin and Xi had already met last May during the Kremlin leader’s visit to Beijing to underline their close partnership.
The SCO, established in 2001, aimed to counter Western influence and discuss security issues in Central Asia and the wider region. In addition to Russia and China, this organization counts among its members Iran, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
After his meeting with Xi, Putin said relations between the two countries were going through “the best period in their history.” He stressed that these relations were based on the principles of equality, mutual benefits and respect for each other’s sovereignty. The two countries collaborate in the interest of their people and do not seek to put themselves in opposition to anyone.
As Russia and China face growing tensions with the West, Putin wants to show that Moscow is not isolated due to Western sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Putin has also held several meetings bilateral talks on the sidelines of the SCO summit, emphasizing that this close partnership aims to promote a more multipolar world order.
Speaking at the summit, Xi called Putin an “old friend” and urged regional leaders to strengthen their unity in the face of “the real challenge of interference and division.” The SCO promotes a common approach to external security threats, such as drug trafficking, but also focuses on combating any internal instability.
This meeting between Putin and Xi only strengthens the already strong ties between Russia and China, demonstrating their common desire to cooperate with a view of mutual respect and mutual benefit, while seeking to counter the current challenges they face. confronted on the international scene.