Russian President Vladimir Putin in China for SCO Summit 2025: Russia and China Unite Against Sanctions, Call for Fairer Global Order. President Putin has arrived in Tianjin, China, to attend the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State Council Summit from August 31 to September 1, 2025. His visit, described by the Kremlin as “unprecedented,” underscores Moscow’s deepening partnership with Beijing at a time when both countries are facing mounting Western pressure.
In a written interview with Xinhua News Agency ahead of the summit, Putin highlighted Russia-China unity against Western “discriminatory sanctions” and emphasized the shared vision of building a fairer, multipolar world order. He stressed that Moscow and Beijing are working together to reform international financial institutions, strengthen BRICS, and support the Global South’s development agenda.
Putin in China for SCO Summit 2025: Russia and China Unite Against Sanctions, Call for Fairer Global Order
Putin’s Message Ahead of SCO: Opposition to “Discriminatory Sanctions”
In his remarks to Xinhua, Putin was clear:
“We stand united in strengthening BRICS’ ability to address pressing global challenges, share similar views on regional and international security, and take a common stand against discriminatory sanctions that hinder the socioeconomic development of our members and the world at large.”
The statement comes in the backdrop of Western restrictions on Moscow following its war in Ukraine and growing trade frictions with China.
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened 10% tariffs on BRICS nations, while also slapping India with a 50% tariff on Russian oil imports.
Putin accused the West of using financial tools as weapons, describing such practices as “neo-colonialism.” He insisted that BRICS seeks inclusive progress benefitting the “Global Majority.”
SCO Summit 2025 in Tianjin: A Platform for Multipolarity
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), originally formed in 2001 by six Eurasian nations, has since expanded to include 10 permanent members and 16 dialogue and observer partners. It is now seen as a powerful counterweight to Western-led alliances.
The Tianjin Summit brings together more than 30 world leaders, including:
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Chinese President Xi Jinping
- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
China is using the gathering to showcase what a post-American-led order could look like, while Russia views it as an opportunity to strengthen its Eurasian alliances amid sanctions and isolation from the West.
Russia-China Partnership at “Unprecedented Level”
Putin underlined that relations between Moscow and Beijing have reached an “unprecedented level.”
Bilateral trade reached a record $245 billion in 2024, with transactions carried out almost entirely in Russian rubles and Chinese yuan, bypassing the U.S. dollar.
“In terms of trade volume, China is by far Russia’s leading partner, while last year Russia ranked fifth among China’s foreign trade partners,” Putin said.
The shift reflects a broader strategy to weaken the dominance of the U.S. dollar in international trade.
Both nations are working to cut trade barriers and expand commerce, particularly in the oil, gas, technology, and infrastructure sectors.
Reforming the IMF and World Bank: A New Financial System
Putin reiterated Russia and China’s joint support for reforming the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, institutions long dominated by Western powers.
“A new financial system must be based on openness and true equity, providing equal and non-discriminatory access to its tools for all countries and reflecting the real standing of member states in the global economy,” Putin stressed.
He accused the West of using finance as an instrument of domination, insisting that BRICS’ mission is to ensure fairness for developing nations.
This aligns with BRICS’ ongoing initiatives to:
- Expand the New Development Bank (NDB)
- Increase trade in local currencies
- Mobilize funds for infrastructure projects across the Global South
BRICS Expansion and the Global South
BRICS has grown significantly in recent years, now including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Argentina, and the UAE.
Putin praised the inclusion of the African Union in the G20, calling it a step toward “deepening synergies” between BRICS and other global forums.
He emphasized that BRICS is no longer a regional bloc but a key pillar of global architecture one that can represent the interests of the Global Majority.
Modi-Putin Meeting on the Sidelines
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Putin during the SCO summit. The discussions will likely focus on:
- Expanding India-Russia energy cooperation
- Addressing U.S. tariff measures against India’s oil trade with Russia
- Enhancing collaboration within BRICS and SCO platforms
This meeting comes amid strained India-China ties, making Modi’s parallel talks with Xi Jinping equally significant.
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SCO’s Role in Shaping a Fairer Multipolar World
Putin described the SCO’s philosophy as rooted in equality, openness, and non-interference, principles that differentiate it from Western-led blocs.
“Drawing on these values, the SCO contributes to shaping a fairer, multipolar world order, grounded in international law, with the central coordinating role of the United Nations,” he said.
The Russian president expressed hope that the Tianjin Summit would strengthen SCO’s capacity to address security threats, economic challenges, and infrastructure development needs across Eurasia.
China-Russia Economic Lifeline
Since Western sanctions hit Moscow in 2022, China has become its economic lifeline. Beijing has been buying record volumes of Russian oil, while exporting cars, electronics, and machinery.
Putin noted that the partnership has enabled both sides to withstand Western pressure:
- China is now Russia’s largest trading partner
- Russia remains a top energy exporter to China
- Both nations are working to remove bilateral trade barriers
The collaboration is also strategic, with joint infrastructure projects and technological exchanges aimed at reducing dependence on Western systems.
Putin will also attend China’s Victory Day parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II.
His presence highlights the countries’ shared historical narrative of anti-fascist struggle, often contrasted with the West’s portrayal of WWII history.
The symbolic display of unity reinforces their message of standing together in both historical memory and contemporary geopolitics.
A Counterweight to the West?
Analysts suggest that the Putin-Xi partnership and BRICS expansion represent an emerging counterweight to U.S. and EU influence.
By advancing an alternative financial system and expanding trade ties, Russia and China are positioning themselves as champions of the Global South.
While critics argue that both nations are driven by self-interest, supporters see the partnership as a rebalancing of global power away from Western dominance.
Conclusion: Towards a Fairer Multipolar World
The SCO Summit 2025 in Tianjin is more than a diplomatic gathering—it is a symbol of shifting global power dynamics. Russia and China are using the platform to promote:
- A fairer global financial order
- Stronger South-South cooperation
- Opposition to Western sanctions and dominance
- A vision of a multipolar world rooted in international law
Putin’s words “We seek progress for the benefit of all humanity” reflect Moscow and Beijing’s strategic attempt to redefine the rules of the global order.
Whether this vision gains wider acceptance will depend on how effectively BRICS and SCO can deliver concrete benefits to their members and the broader Global South.
Also Read: SCO summit in China: Who’s attending, what’s at stake amid Trump tariffs?
