Putin seeks support from SCO partners as Russia leans on China, India, Iran and others
At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with leaders of China, Iran, India and Turkey, underscoring Russia's growing reliance on a limited group of partners amid the war in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where he met with leaders from China, Iran, India and Turkey. The meetings highlighted Russia’s increasing dependence on a small bloc of partners as Western sanctions and the war in Ukraine strain its economy and military.
During the summit, Putin expressed solidarity with Iran, saying Moscow would maintain economic and trade ties despite the “military and political environment.” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian replied that Iran was ready to return to a June cease-fire arrangement with the United States if Washington fulfilled its commitments.
China’s President Xi Jinping told Putin that bilateral cooperation had “robust momentum,” but analysts note the relationship is asymmetrical: China accounts for more than 40% of Russian imports and over 30% of its export revenues, giving Beijing leverage over Moscow’s projects, including the stalled Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline.
India continued to purchase a record share of Russian crude, with Russian oil making up about 51% of India’s imports in July. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Putin a friend but urged an end to the Ukraine war, receiving a vague response from the Russian leader.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the summit and signaled interest in deeper SCO cooperation, a move that could make Turkey the first NATO member to join the bloc. Analysts say Turkey’s energy links with Russia increase its leverage as Moscow’s alternatives narrow.
North Korea, though not an SCO member, has supplied artillery shells and troops to support Russia, a relationship that benefits both sides but also creates reciprocal dependencies.
Think-tank estimates indicate Russia has suffered significant battlefield casualties and a modest loss of territory in Ukraine, while its economy faces high interest rates and a budget deficit. Despite these pressures, the SCO partners continue to provide essential economic and military support, allowing Russia to sustain its current policies.