Russian President Vladimir Putin met with his ally Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday in Kyrgyzstan amid discussions about Ukraine and growing concerns that Russia may escalate its conflict with Kyiv.
The leaders convened in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek for a two-day summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a bloc aiming to serve as a counterbalance to Western influence. The SCO brings together Russia, China, Iran, India, Pakistan, four Central Asian countries, and Belarus, and is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
While the leaders reportedly discussed Ukraine, the Kremlin stated it was not the primary focus of their meeting. Putin and Xi have previously used SCO summits to advocate for their vision of a multipolar world and to present a united front against Western policies.
Other world leaders attending the summit included Iran's Masoud Pezeshkian, Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan, India's Narendra Modi, and Pakistan's Shehbaz Sharif.
The summit occurs more than four years into Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with reports suggesting Putin is considering an escalation. Sources close to the Kremlin have indicated that Putin fears public backlash if the conflict ends without a declared victory, potentially leading him to escalate the war.
In an August address, Putin accused Ukraine of opening a "Pandora's box" and threatened "blowback on the most sensitive sectors of your economy." He also dismissed suggestions that the war was nearing its end, stating, "The special military operation continues. We will move only forward."
Ordinary Russians are reportedly experiencing increasing hardships due to the war, including Ukrainian drone attacks, internet restrictions, and economic struggles. Discontent is also reportedly growing among Russia's elites, who are said to be frustrated by the conflict's duration. Putin is rumored to believe he faces significant personal risk if the war concludes without achieving key objectives, such as the capture of the entire Donbas region.
Other Summit Discussions
Separately, Iran's President Pezeshkian, speaking after an exchange of fire between the United States and Iran, stated that continuing the war is not in Tehran's interests. He conveyed to India's Prime Minister Modi that Iran seeks a path of agreement and understanding, believing that prolonged conflict serves neither Iran nor the region.
Putin was also scheduled to hold talks with Pezeshkian. Russia and Iran, both heavily sanctioned states, have significantly deepened their military and economic ties since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Moscow and Beijing against arming Iran.
The SCO, historically focused on economic issues, has seen increased momentum under Russian and Chinese leadership. The bloc includes ten member states and 15 dialogue partners, aiming to represent a significant portion of the world's population and global GDP, though internal disagreements exist among members.
