Putin meets Xi and Erdogan in Astana
In the face of tensions with the West, Vladimir Putin is seeking to establish a new world order. At a summit in Kazakhstan, Putin can count on support for his plans: The heads of several states that have strengthened Russia's back in the Ukraine conflict will be present.
According to Kremlin announcements, Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Central Asian republic of Kazakhstan on this Wednesday. Putin will meet Erdogan on the eve of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in the capital Astana, the Kremlin announced. A meeting between the two leaders had been planned for some time in Turkey. On this Thursday, Putin also plans to meet China's Party and State Chairman Xi Jinping at the summit of the organization founded for security reasons.
China, an important supporter of Russia after the attack on Ukraine, has significant influence. The country continues to supply Moscow with components needed for weapons production. In addition, China's purchase of Russian oil and gas has boosted the Russian economy. Turkey maintains friendly relations with both Russia and Ukraine. Ankara supplied weapons to the Ukraine on the one hand, but did not support Western sanctions against Russia on the other.
According to Kremlin announcements, Putin is also scheduled to meet with the presidents of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Belarus in Astana. Meetings are also planned with the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Iranian Vice President. Putin has repeatedly declared during his military campaign against Ukraine that, in the face of tensions with the West, he is seeking to establish a new world order - without US hegemony.
The current chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for Cooperation, to which China also belongs, is held by the Central Asian republic of Kazakhstan. In addition to China, the organization includes India, Pakistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. In this Russia-friendly group, Putin is unlikely to hear criticism of his military campaign against Ukraine. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not expected at the summit, according to Kremlin announcements, and he plans to visit Russia afterwards.
- At the summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, will join Vladimir Putin, supporting Putin's plans for a new world order, as Russia faces tensions with the West due to the Attack on Ukraine.
- Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president, will meet with Putin in Kazakhstan, a day before the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, where they had originally planned to meet in Turkey.
- Turkey, maintaining friendly relations with both Russia and Ukraine, has supplied weapons to Ukraine but avoided supporting Western sanctions against Russia.
- Putin's meeting with China's Party and State Chairman Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Astana will strengthen China's role as an important supporter of Russia following the Attack on Ukraine, as China continues to supply Moscow with weapons components and purchase Russian oil and gas.
- In the Russia-friendly group Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Putin is unlikely to encounter criticism of his military campaign against Ukraine, as other members like India and Pakistan are expected to support his new world order agenda.
