Putin to hold nine bilateral meetings at SCO summit in Bishkek
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Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to hold at least nine bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek starting August 31. The two-day summit marks the 25th anniversary of the SCO and includes leaders from China, Iran, India, and Turkey. Putin's agenda includes talks with Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian on the Middle East crisis and a $25 billion nuclear power agreement.
Key Facts
- Putin has at least nine bilateral meetings scheduled during the SCO summit in Bishkek, according to Kremlin officials.
- The SCO summit runs for two days starting August 31 and marks the organization's 25th anniversary.
- Putin is expected to meet with Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
- Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said the Middle East crisis will be a key subject in talks between Putin and Pezeshkian.
- The agenda includes a $25 billion agreement signed by Tehran with Russia's Rosatom to build four nuclear power plants in Iran.
Summit Participants
The SCO consists of Russia, Iran, India, China, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. Xi Jinping arrived in Bishkek late on August 30 and held his first meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, the summit host. Turkey is not an SCO member, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to attend bilateral sessions with Putin. Nuclear powers Pakistan and India, both SCO members, are often on the brink of war with each other.
Putin-Pezeshkian Agenda
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said the Middle East crisis will be a key subject in the talks between Putin and Pezeshkian. The two leaders are also expected to discuss the $25 billion agreement signed by Tehran with Russia's state nuclear company Rosatom to build four nuclear power plants in Iran. Moscow and Tehran are both under Western sanctions, with Russia sanctioned for its invasion of Ukraine and Iran for its support of extremist activity and alleged pursuit of a nuclear weapon. Kyiv and the West have demanded that Iran cease providing Shahed drones to Russia for use in the Ukraine war.
SCO's Role
The organization began as the 'Shanghai Five' in 1996 and expanded to other regional nations starting in 2001. Putin and Xi have often used SCO gatherings to present a united front against Western influence in the region. UK-based analyst Naser al-Tamimi wrote on X that the SCO offers Iran broader political cover and expands opportunities for trade in yuan, rubles, and other national currencies.
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Putin to hold nine bilateral meetings at SCO summit in Bishkek
