Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to hold bilateral talks during the 25th-anniversary summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
The Kremlin confirmed the meeting on Friday. Foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov said the leaders will discuss bilateral cooperation and major international issues.
He described the meeting as an important engagement. It will also mark the second in-person meeting between Putin and Xi this year.
Power of Siberia 2 on the Agenda
Energy cooperation is expected to feature prominently in the talks. The leaders are likely to discuss the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline project.
The proposed pipeline would strengthen energy links between Russia and China. However, negotiations over the long-anticipated project have remained unresolved.
For Moscow, the pipeline could provide an important alternative market for its gas exports. Meanwhile, Beijing could gain another major source of pipeline energy supplies.
Putin Holds Several Bilateral Meetings
Putin’s schedule in Bishkek includes several high-level meetings. Nine bilateral engagements have been arranged during the two-day summit.
These meetings include talks with Indian Prime MinisterNarendra_Modi, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Moreover, the packed schedule highlights the summit’s importance for regional diplomacy.
SCO Summit to Address Regional Challenges
The SCO summit will take place on September 1 in Bishkek. Around a dozen heads of state are expected to attend the meeting.
The organization includes China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, four Central Asian states, and Belarus.
Leaders are expected to discuss regional and international security issues. These include the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, Afghanistan, and tensions involving India, China, and Pakistan.
China-Russia Coordination in Focus
The Putin-Xi meeting will offer fresh insight into the growing China-Russia partnership. Both countries have expanded economic and diplomatic coordination in recent years.
Furthermore, their interaction at the SCO will highlight how Moscow and Beijing coordinate on regional security and international affairs.
The SCO has also adopted a more visible position on the Middle East and Iran in 2026. Member states have called for restraint, dialogue, and diplomatic solutions based on international law and the UN Charter.
SCO Expected to Adopt Key Documents
The summit is expected to produce between 20 and 25 documents. These are likely to include the Bishkek Declaration.
Putin will also attend the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games. The event is expected to include the announcement of Kazan as host of the 2027 edition.
More Putin-Xi Meetings Ahead
The two leaders are scheduled to meet again at the BRICS summit in New Delhi in September. They are also expected to meet at the APEC forum in China in November.
These upcoming engagements could further strengthen coordination between Moscow and Beijing on economic, energy, and international issues.
