Putin and Xi Jinping met in Kyrgyzstan: among the topics discussed was a new gas pipeline

This is reported by a number of Russian media outlets.

Xi Jinping arrived in Kyrgyzstan yesterday, and Putin arrived today, August 31. This is the second face-to-face meeting between the leaders of Russia and China in 2026.

According to official reports, Putin and Xi will discuss bilateral relations and international issues. Among the topics of the meeting is, in particular, the “Power of Siberia-2” gas pipeline project.

Russia’s protracted war against Ukraine is increasingly strengthening Moscow’s dependence on Beijing.

The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Russia is becoming increasingly dependent on China as a buyer of Russian oil and a supplier of goods that have replaced Western imports. According to the publication’s assessment, Putin has effectively resigned himself to the role of Xi’s junior partner, while Russia’s economic losses give Beijing additional leverage over the Kremlin.

At the same time, differences remain between Moscow and Beijing. In particular, China insists that the price of gas for “Power of Siberia-2” be set at the level of the Russian domestic market.

The SCO comprises 10 member states, with 15 additional countries holding the status of dialogue partners, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Afghanistan and Mongolia have observer status.

This year’s summit is taking place against the backdrop of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the conflict involving Iran, and trade disputes between China and India on one side and the U.S. on the other. Kyrgyzstan is also expecting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The forum in Bishkek runs from August 30 to September 1. The main session of the Council of Heads of State will take place on September 1.

As a reminder, Vladimir Putin’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, stated that a meeting between Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and U.S. President Donald Trump is possible only to “formalize agreements.”