2023-07-04 19:10:00
The Kremlin chief reaffirms his country’s unity and assures that it will resist Western sanctions, while Xi Jinping calls for safeguarding regional peace
04 jul 2023 . Updated at 7:10 p.m.
Vladimir Putin has sought to convey a image of firmness and total control about his country at the virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held on Tuesday. The head of the Kremlin affirmed that Russia will continue to “resist the external pressure, sanctions and provocations» and denounced that foreign forces are waging a «hybrid war» using «anti-Russian sanctions, illegitimate and unprecedented due to their magnitude»
It was the first appearance of the Russian president at an international summit after the rebellion of the mercenaries of the Wagner Group. Putin appeared surrounded by a group of friendly countries that have not condemned the invasion of Ukraine. The SCO is made up of Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Iran.
Before this audience of allies, Putin has worked to ensure that his grip on power remains strong, the country is stable and united. He also thanked them for his support of the Russian leadership to “protect our Constitution, the social order and the security of our citizens.” Most SCO member countries share border and economic interests with Russia and they would be directly affected by a possible destabilization of the Putin regime.
The Russian president expressed his willingness to expand and strengthen ties with the members of the OSC and amplified the criticism against the West beyond support for Ukraine. Putin warned about the risks of a new global economic and financial crisis caused by the over-indebtedness of developed countries.
At the summit, hosted by the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, one of Putin’s main allies, Xi Jinping, also participated virtually. In a speech recorded on video, the Chinese president called for “efforts to safeguard regional peace and ensure common security”. Xi assured that his country defends globalization, opposes protectionism, unilateral sanctions and the “generalization of the concept of national security”, in clear reference to the differences that separate it from the United States.
At this summit, the OSC has expanded with the entry of Iran as a full member and open the way to incorporate Belarus in the future.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization was created in 2001 by China and Russia to bring together the former Soviet republics. The objective was to work on issues of regional security, the fight against terrorism, ethnic separatism and religious extremism. Currently the OSC, which represents nearly 40% of the world’s populationalso aspires to expand its influence in the region as a counterpoint to the interests of Western countries.
Filed Under: Vladimir Putin Russia Xi Jinping
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