Putin and Xi meet at Central Asian summit aimed at countering U.S.
SUMMARY
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) at a summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, as a stabilizing force against Western influence. Founded in 2001 by Russia, China, and Central Asian nations, the SCO now includes India, Iran, and Pakistan. Putin emphasized that the SCO is crucial for a fair, multipolar world order, while Xi stressed enduring friendship between China and Russia amid global changes. The SCO addresses security threats and domestic instability. The summit saw bilateral meetings between Putin and leaders from Turkey, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Mongolia. Belarus attended as a full member, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also present.
