Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping met in Kazakhstan: our relations are at their best moment in history

The Russian President, Vladimir Poutineand its Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinpingon Wednesday welcomed their efforts to strengthen their anti-Western alliance. Kazakhstanon the sidelines of a summit in which they are also seeking to increase their influence in Central Asia.

Putin and Xi met in Astancapital of Central Asia's largest economy, where the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

This regional bloc, led by Beijing and covering Central Asia, India and Iran, is designed as a platform for cooperation with Western organizations.

Russian-Chinese relations, our global partnership and strategic cooperation are experiencing the best moment in their historyPutin said in televised remarks ahead of the bilateral meeting.

Regarding the SCO, the Russian leader said that has established itself as one of the key pillars of a just multipolar world orderusing language common in Moscow's criticism of the West.

Putin and Xi meeting takes place a month and a half after the Russian president's trip to China seek further support in their war in Ukraine.

The SCO represents 40% of the world's population and about 30% of global GDP, but beyond these strong symbols, there are many disagreements between its members.

In his brief opening remarks at the meeting, Xi told Putin that Moscow and Beijing must continue maintain the original aspiration of friendship bilateral in the face of the turbulent international situation.

Although Russia and China want to form a common front against Western powers, they are historic rivals for influence in Central Asia, a region rich in hydrocarbons and essential for the transport of goods between Europe and Asia.

The five countries in the region – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – are former Soviet republics and share cultural, linguistic and economic ties with Russia.

Hermetic Turkmenistan is not a member of the SCO, but the other four Central Asian states are, as well as India, Iran and Pakistan.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Moscow is trying to maintain its influence in these countries in the face of growing Chinese investment..

Central Asia is a key link in China's New Silk Roads initiative, a gigantic infrastructure project launched ten years ago and promoted by Xi Jinping.

Putin also met with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdoganwhose country is a dialogue partner of the SCO, which invited the Russian president to visit Turkey as soon as possible.

Definitely go for itPutin said during the televised exchange.

NATO member Turkey has repeatedly offered to mediate to end the conflict in Ukraine.

Erdogan assured Putin that Turkey can lay the foundations for a consensus to end the current war between Russia and Ukraine, first with a ceasefire and then with peaceaccording to a statement from the Turkish presidency.

A just peace that satisfies both sides is possible, he added.

BelarusRussia's close ally in its war in Ukraine, will officially join the OCS on Thursdayat the end of the summit.

In an interview with the Kazakh News Agency KazinformBelarusian President, Alexander Lukashenkosaid that the bloc shows the world that there are (…) other centres of power in which the interests of all states without exception are respected.

The SCO, founded in 2010, has gained new momentum in recent years as a counterweight to Western influence, focusing on security and economic issues.

It aims to combat what Beijing calls the three evils: separatism, terrorism and extremism.

Symbolizing the growing importance of this group, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will also be present at the Astan summit.

(AFP)