SCO Summit in Bishkek Focused on Countering U.S.

Leaders from China, Russia, India, Iran, and other nations gathered in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Monday for the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. The meeting brought together Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and heads of state from member nations including Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, and dialogue partners like Turkey.

Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin reaffirmed their strategic alliance amid growing global uncertainty during their first meeting since May. Xi told Putin that bilateral ties between Beijing and Moscow have grown 'more solid' despite increased 'uncertainty and unpredictability in the international order'. China has consistently denied giving Russia material support for its assault on Ukraine.

Modi urged Putin to end the war in Ukraine, stating that 'India supports all peace efforts in this area [Ukraine war], and we will continue to do so.' He emphasized the need to move 'from endless war to the end of hostilities,' adding that 'every day that the war continues, humanity takes a step backwards.' The Kremlin reported that Putin briefed Modi on Russia's military operation progress, which Moscow describes as a special military operation.

During their meeting at the summit, Putin expressed full solidarity with Iran and praised its resilience. Pezeshkian thanked Putin for Russia's support against U.S. sanctions and conflicts, calling their relations 'strategic'. Retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove told Fox News Digital that both countries need each other economically and militarily, with Russia relying on Iran for missiles and Iran depending on Russia for targeting intelligence.

The summit included discussions about strengthening relations with non-Western partners. Xi and Putin emphasized the importance of their strategic partnership in an uncertain international situation. The SCO's founding declaration states that the group is 'not an alliance directed against other states,' though last year's gathering saw strong criticism from both leaders towards Western countries.

Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry announced plans for 'massive strikes' on Ukraine's energy infrastructure following a devastating attack on an ammunition warehouse that resulted in 38 deaths. This escalation poses Kyiv's toughest challenge yet as winter approaches. The U.S. House is expected to pass a bill imposing up to 100% tariffs on countries purchasing Russian crude oil or gas, including China and India.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a one-on-one meeting with Putin at the summit to discuss further nuclear cooperation. Erdogan emphasized that Turkey's membership perspective in the SCO does not mean a break from the West but aims to become a full member of the organization. The summit also called for the creation of a new development bank that would be 'maximum independence from the financial systems of the states which weaponize economic tools in order to obtain unilateral advantages in international affairs'.