Putin Meets Xi Jinping at SCO Summit in Kyrgyzstan as Russia's Influence Wanes
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Kyrgyzstan on August 30, 2026. Analysts suggest Putin is positioning Russia as a junior partner to China, reflecting Russia's declining influence and China's growing power in Central Asia and global oil markets. The meeting occurred amid ongoing tensions from Ukraine's attacks on Russian energy infrastructure and the war's impact on Iran.
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According to analysts' estimates, Putin is forced to take on the role of a younger partner of Beijing.
The Wall Street Journal: Putin and Xi will meet in Kyrgyzstan at the SCO summit (which also includes Iran). Against the backdrop of Ukraine's attacks on Russian energy and the global consequences of the war around Iran, their positions have diverged: Beijing has strengthened its influence on oil markets and in Central Asia, while Moscow is losing weight and becoming increasingly dependent on China, effectively becoming [...]. The message 'Putin Again Turns to Xi Jinping as Russia's Influence Crumbles' first appeared on NEXTA.
Putin Turns Again to China’s Xi as Russia’s Clout Crumbles WSJ