Putin Highlights SCO’s Role in Ukraine Conflict as NATO Expansion Cited
During the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the critical roles of China and India in seeking a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He reiterated that the expansion of NATO is a fundamental factor driving the crisis. reports 24brussels.
Putin articulated that the war was not initiated by Russia but was instead a consequence of a coup in Ukraine, which he claimed was supported by Western powers during the 2013-2014 uprising that led to the removal of President Viktor Yanukovych. He stated, “for the Ukrainian settlement to be sustainable and long-term, the root causes of the crisis must be addressed.”
In discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Putin referenced his conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska, which he described as a potential pathway to peace. The Russian leader committed to keeping fellow SCO leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, informed during bilateral talks on the summit’s sidelines.
Putin asserted, “No country can guarantee its security at the expense of another,” reiterating Russia’s demand for acknowledgment of its security concerns. He highlighted the SCO’s increasing influence in global diplomacy and mentioned the rapid development of cooperation among its members, particularly in enhancing the use of national currencies in trade.
Moscow and Beijing are advocating for the SCO as a counterbalance to Western-led coalitions, with Putin asserting that there is a necessity for a new system to replace outdated Eurocentric and Euro-Atlantic frameworks.
Despite multiple appeals for dialogue, peace initiatives remain ineffective, with Russia dismissing ceasefire proposals while insisting on territorial concessions from Ukraine, which Kyiv has deemed unacceptable.
