On the second day of a major summit in China aimed at challenging Western-led multilateral alliances, Xi Jinping criticized what he called the “bullying behavior” of other countries, while Vladimir Putin blamed the West for the war in Ukraine.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit began on Sunday in Tianjin, where Xi welcomed dozens of leaders from Eurasian member states and partner countries, including Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a speech on Monday, Putin claimed the war was not caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but was instead “a result of a coup in Ukraine, which was supported and provoked by the West.” He added, “The second reason for the crisis is the West’s constant attempts to drag Ukraine into NATO.”
Russia’s three-and-a-half-year war has killed tens of thousands and devastated much of eastern Ukraine.
Earlier, Xi addressed the summit, stating that security and development challenges for member states have grown more difficult. He urged them to “oppose cold war mentality, bloc confrontation, and bullying,” and emphasized the need to uphold the international system centered on the United Nations and the multilateral trading system led by the World Trade Organization.
Xi praised the SCO’s growth as a model of “true multilateralism” and called for deeper cooperation among members to boost trade and investment through their large markets. He announced that China would provide 2 billion yuan ($280 million) in aid to member states this year, along with an additional 10 billion yuan in loans to an SCO banking consortium.
The Tianjin summit is the largest SCO gathering since its founding in 2002 and reflects Beijing’s effort to counter the influence of U.S.- and Western-led groups like NATO. This push has gained momentum amid global disruptions caused by former U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and foreign policy shifts.
Modi’s attendance marks his first visit to China in seven years. Despite longstanding tensions over border disputes, trade, and China’s support for Pakistan, the relationship appears to be improving. This comes just days after the U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods due to India’s purchase of Russian oil.
Xi stated that China-India relations could be “stable and far-reaching” if both sides treat each other as partners rather than rivals. Live footage showed Xi, Putin, and Modi chatting through interpreters. Putin also commended China and India for their efforts to help resolve the Ukraine crisis.
Many leaders will attend a military parade in Beijing on Wednesday commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is also expected to be present.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the summit issued a statement urging the international community to uphold the “correct” view of World War II, noting that SCO members fought together in the conflict. Recently, China has emphasized its role alongside the Soviet Union in defeating Japan and Germany.
Analysts are watching for any formal meeting between Putin, Xi, and Kim. North Korea’s support for Russia’s war is thought to have displeased Xi, who is balancing the Russian alliance with efforts to avoid further international penalties.The United States is closely monitoring the situation regarding the war in Ukraine.
“It is widely known that North Korean soldiers are already involved in the Ukrainian conflict, and Russia and North Korea maintain close military ties. If all three countries were to hold a meeting, it would send a strong signal to the United States, underscoring a potential new cold war dynamic,” said Lim Chuan-Tiong, a researcher at the University of Tokyo’s Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia.
“If such a meeting does not occur, it is likely because China prefers to avoid overly provoking the U.S. while maintaining a degree of strategic ambiguity among the three nations.”
Additional research by Lillian Yang.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the statements made by Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai summit designed to be clear and helpful for a range of readers
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What summit is this referring to
This refers to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit held in July 2024 The SCO is a political and security alliance that includes China Russia India Pakistan and several Central Asian nations
2 What exactly did Xi Jinping say
Chinese President Xi Jinping condemned acts of bullying and the practice of forming small circles advocating for a more multipolar world order not dominated by the West
3 And what did Vladimir Putin say
Russian President Vladimir Putin directly accused the West of instigating and prolonging the war in Ukraine He claimed the West pushed Ukraine into conflict with Russia to maintain its global dominance
4 Were they standing together on this
While their criticisms of the West aligned their tones were different Xis comments were more general and ideological while Putins were a direct defense of his actions in Ukraine It showed a partnership of convenience against a common adversary rather than a complete alignment of goals
5 Why is this meeting significant
Its significant because it demonstrates how Russia isolated by the West is seeking political support and legitimacy from other major powers like China and the Global South through forums like the SCO
AdvancedLevel Questions
6 What is the strategic importance of the SCO for China and Russia
For China the SCO is a key platform to expand its influence in Eurasia and promote its vision of a world order For Russia its a crucial diplomatic stage to show it is not isolated and to rally nonWestern support for its strategic and economic interests
7 How does Xis vague condemnation of bullying help Russia without explicitly endorsing its war
By using broad principled language like opposing bullying and hegemonism Xi can signal support for Russias antiWestern narrative without explicitly violating Chinas stated position of neutrality on Ukraine or endorsing the invasion itself This allows China to walk a fine diplomatic line
8 Did any other SCO members like India support these statements
Other members particularly India have been more
