Putin, Xi attempt to rally SCO leaders behind a new multipolar world order in Kyrgyzstan - analysis
Russia and China used the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit to promote a multipolar world order, with leaders criticizing unilateralism and calling for greater influence for non-Western powers.
In Kyrgyzstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping convened a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) with the aim of promoting a new multipolar world order. This is not the first time Russian and Chinese leaders have gathered in Bishkek for such a summit. In 2019, they held a similar conference in Bishkek, which later included a Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).
Since then, the geopolitical landscape has evolved significantly. Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, launched a major invasion in 2022, while the US withdrew from Afghanistan, Sudan descended into civil war, and Israel was brought to the brink of destruction by Hamas in 2023. The US and Israel also attacked Iran in February 2026. The SCO, comprised of 25 countries, is seen as a platform for non-Western powers to discuss the emerging global order that Moscow and Beijing envision.
During the summit, Putin and Xi expressed dissatisfaction with the United Nations (UN), calling for its effectiveness to be improved and urging broader representation from countries of the Global South and East. They also advocated for the SCO to work more closely with the UN and emphasized the need to build a fair multipolar world order.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the potential for the UN and SCO to play a greater role in shaping a fair and inclusive global order. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev echoed the theme of a multipolar world order, urging an end to the "cult of force" and advocating for mutual responsibility, joint development, and long-term cooperation.
Xi Jinping underscored the urgency of the matter, asserting that hegemonism, unilateralism, and protectionism are on the rise, threatening historical trends. He called for consensus and the right choices that can withstand the test of practice and history, urging major powers to lead by observing international norms and upholding the rule of law, while collectively addressing global challenges.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
