The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit has started in Kyrgyzstan, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping joining leaders from several dozen countries in the two-day meeting.
On Monday, 31 Aug 2026 GMT+7, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping opened joint talks in Kyrgyzstan, joined by leaders from over ten countries attending the two-day SCO summit aiming to balance power against Western nations.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Pakistani leader Shehbaz Sharif are among those attending the SCO summit in Bishkek, celebrating the organization's 25th anniversary.
The SCO summit takes place amid the ongoing four-and-a-half-year conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the six-month-long conflict between the U.S. and Iran, with no end in sight.
Previously, both Putin and Xi have used SCO summits as platforms to promote a multipolar world vision and demonstrate unified opposition to Western countries.
Xi Jinping told Putin he was “pleased” to meet, stating that the relationship between Russia and China has become “closer” and that the “future prospects will be even brighter.”
“Uncertainty and unpredictability in the global order have clearly increased,” the Chinese leader said, while Putin told Xi that “our cooperation is progressing well in all dimensions.” The two last met in May.
Russia’s economy has become increasingly dependent on China during the four-and-a-half years of the Ukraine war, while Western countries have urged Beijing to pressure Moscow to end its aggression.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian media that the two leaders discussed the Ukraine war only “briefly.” It is also expected that Putin will hold separate talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
At Bishkek, following the first exchange of fire in a month between the U.S. and Iran, Pezeshkian affirmed that continuing war is not Tehran’s interest and that they are seeking a path toward agreements and mutual understanding.
The Iranian president also acknowledged his country is facing “economic difficulties” as the U.S. imposes new sanctions targeting anyone doing business with or aiding Iran.
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Source:cna