Putin and Xi Reaffirm Strategic Alliance in an 'Unpredictable' World

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have reaffirmed the strategic alliance between their two nations against a backdrop of increasing global turmoil, as the leaders met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Kyrgyzstan.

In their first meeting since May, Xi told Putin on Monday that he was "delighted" to see him again. He addressed the Russian leader, whose country is entering the fifth year of its war in Ukraine, saying that bilateral relations between Beijing and Moscow have become "more robust."

This should continue despite the "rise in instability and unpredictability of the international order," he added. China has consistently denied providing material support to Russia in its assault on neighboring Ukraine.

Xi told Putin that the prospects for Beijing-Moscow ties are "brighter," even though "the level of instability and unpredictability in the international order has clearly increased."

Putin agreed, stating that "cooperation is developing successfully in all areas."

The Shadow of War

The two-day SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek, marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of the regional security and economic organization.

More than a dozen heads of state attended, including Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a dialogue partner.

The summit takes place four and a half years after Moscow launched its military campaign in Ukraine and six months after the war between the U.S. and Iran.

Putin and Xi have previously used SCO summits to promote their vision of a multipolar world and showcase a united front against the West.

Due to Western sanctions related to the war in Ukraine, Russia's economy has become increasingly dependent on China. This has prompted Western nations to call on Beijing to pressure Moscow into ending its military campaign.

However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian media that the two leaders primarily discussed economic ties, and only touched on the Ukraine war "in passing."

Putin also met with Modi, with the two leaders arriving together in the same vehicle for scheduled talks.

Modi said New Delhi is ready to cooperate to end the conflict in Ukraine. The Russian leader said Moscow is "moving along the path" toward a resolution, without elaborating.

U.S.-mediated peace negotiations remain stalled. However, reports last week indicated that CIA Director John Ratcliffe had visited the Russian capital for discussions.

"The Path of Agreement"

Putin was also expected to hold separate talks with Pezeshkian.

Russia and Iran are the world's most heavily sanctioned nations and have strengthened military and economic ties since Moscow launched its military campaign in Ukraine. Iran has provided drones for Russia's ongoing invasion.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Moscow and Beijing not to arm Iran. U.S. media speculate that, beyond the Ukraine issue, Ratcliffe sought to convey a warning to Russian partners that Moscow should restrain from supplying weapons to Tehran.

Speaking in Bishkek after the first exchange of fire between the U.S. and Iran in a month, Pezeshkian said that continuing the war is not in Tehran's interest.

"We continue to strive for the path of agreement and understanding, and we believe that continuing the war is neither beneficial for us nor for the region," he told India's Modi.

Putin, Xi, Pezeshkian, Modi, and Sharif are expected to attend the plenary session chaired by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.

In addition to the SCO's 10 members, the alliance now has 15 "dialogue partners," including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. The organization also has two observer states: Afghanistan and Mongolia.

While the bloc claims to represent about 40% of the world's population and 25% of global GDP, it remains diverse, with disagreements among members.