Putin and Xi Praise Russia-China Ties at SCO Summit Amid Ukraine Crisis

In September 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping described their bilateral relations as “unprecedentedly high” during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin. The leaders highlighted China and India’s diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine crisis and emphasized trilateral cooperation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also attended a military parade in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end in Asia, underscoring growing alliances amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. The summit reinforced calls for a multipolar world, with Russia reiterating concerns over NATO expansion while economic and military partnerships among Eurasian powers deepen against the backdrop of persistent conflict in Ukraine.

Background & Context

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a prominent Eurasian regional alliance comprised of Russia, China, India, North Korea, and several Central Asian countries. Established in 2001, it serves as a security and economic bloc positioning itself as an alternative to Western-led alliances such as NATO. The ongoing Russia Ukraine war and Russia’s 2022 invasion have intensified global tensions, with China providing trade and diplomatic support to Russia while advocating for multilateral global governance. North Korea’s cooperation with Russia and China further solidifies this bloc’s geopolitical stance.

The recent SCO summit in Tianjin, China, showcases the alliance’s united front against perceived Western dominance and highlights ambitions to reshape the international order. Diplomatic efforts involving high-level US-Russia and US-Ukraine talks, alongside EU and NATO security initiatives, continue amid entrenched military conflict and geopolitical rivalry. These developments underscore the persistence of Russia NATO tensions and the search for alternative power centers on the global stage.

Key Developments & Timeline

August 24–28, 2025: Intense military conflict continued between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides engaging in significant combat. Diplomatic efforts also advanced with new engagements aiming to address the ongoing crisis.
August 30–31, 2025: Russia launched large-scale missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, escalating military pressure before attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.
September 1, 2025: The SCO summit took place in Tianjin, China, hosting key leaders including Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Narendra Modi. Putin and Xi hailed their bilateral ties as “unprecedentedly high,” emphasizing strategic cooperation amid the Russia Ukraine war.
During the summit, Putin acknowledged China and India’s efforts to assist in resolving the Ukrainian crisis while reiterating Russia’s security concerns regarding NATO expansion and Ukraine’s alignment.
Indian Prime Minister Modi met with both Putin and Xi, highlighting trilateral cooperation within the SCO framework. Additionally, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in Beijing to participate in a large military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII in the Pacific.
The SCO summit underscored its position as a significant Eurasian and Middle Eastern alliance, promoting multipolar world governance and counterbalancing Western influence with deepening Russia-China economic ties, particularly through trade conducted in rubles and yuan.
Upcoming: Geopolitical rivalry is expected to persist, with new SCO economic initiatives on the horizon amid uncertain prospects for peace in Ukraine. The conflict continues to exert profound impacts on regional and global stability, increasing Russia NATO tensions.

The developments highlight the complex intersection of ongoing Russian missile attacks, diplomatic negotiations, and strategic partnerships shaping the evolving landscape of the Russia Ukraine war and broader Eurasian geopolitics.

Official Statements & Analysis

In September 2025, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted the “unprecedentedly high” level of Russia-China relations, emphasizing a growing strategic partnership amid the ongoing Russia Ukraine war. Putin praised the constructive efforts of China and India in facilitating peace proposals around the Ukraine crisis, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reinforced trilateral diplomacy with both leaders. The summit, attended by leaders from Eurasia and the Middle East, including North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, showcased a coordinated approach to countering Western influence and fostering multipolar global governance based on sovereign equality and international law.

The leaders criticized the existing financial system as an instrument of neo-colonialism, advocating for democratic reforms in global governance and enhanced roles for developing nations. Economic ties between Russia and China have strengthened, with significant trade conducted in rubles and yuan, signaling a shift away from Western-dominated economic frameworks. These developments reflect rising geopolitical tensions and point toward a prolonged conflict landscape, necessitating continued monitoring of military activities, energy security risks, and shifting alliances. Preparing for disruptions in critical supply chains and maintaining awareness of evolving security dynamics remain crucial for managing the ramifications of this intensified geopolitical conflict.

Conclusion

In September 2025, the strengthened Russia-China alliance showcased at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit reflects the geopolitical shifts impacting the ongoing Russia Ukraine war. With Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasizing trilateral cooperation, the balance of global influence faces significant challenges to Western dominance. Amid continued Russian military action in Ukraine and sustained Western sanctions, diplomatic efforts remain complex and uncertain. As the SCO deepens economic and military ties, the conflict’s resolution hinges on intricate security negotiations and international pressure, with the risk of prolonged instability persisting.

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