Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping convened in Astana for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, aiming to bolster their influence in Central Asia amidst heightened geopolitical tensions.
President Putin arrived in the Kazakh capital on Wednesday morning, joining leaders from across Eurasia for discussions within the SCO, a regional bloc led by Beijing. The summit comes amid deepening political, military, and economic ties between Russia and China, notably strengthened since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
“The SCO and BRICS are pivotal in shaping a new world order and fostering genuine multilateralism,” Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov stated ahead of Putin’s arrival, underscoring Moscow’s strategic priorities.
China, represented by President Xi Jinping, who arrived a day earlier, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the summit’s role in enhancing regional security and stability.
Despite recent strategic agreements, Russia and China historically compete for influence in Central Asia, home to former Soviet republics with significant ties to Russia and growing economic links with China through initiatives like the Belt and Road project.
“The region plays a crucial role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, facilitating overland trade routes between Europe and Asia,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning, highlighting China’s economic interests in the region.
The SCO, comprising Russia, China, and Central Asian states along with India, Iran, and Pakistan, serves as a platform for member states to discuss regional issues and foster cooperation. The inclusion of dialogue partners like Turkey and Gulf states expands the summit’s reach in addressing global challenges.
Aside from the main summit sessions, President Putin planned bilateral meetings with several leaders, potentially including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, amidst Turkey’s efforts to mediate in the Ukraine conflict.
Belarus, a close ally of Russia, is expected to formalize its SCO membership at the summit, reflecting the bloc’s expanding influence in post-Soviet territories.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is scheduled to address the two-day summit on Thursday, underscoring international interest in the SCO’s evolving role in global affairs.
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