Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Kazakhstan on Wednesday to attend a session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the capital of Astana.Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Kazakhstan on Wednesday to attend a session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the capital of Astana.Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Kazakhstan on Wednesday to attend a session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the capital of Astana.
Also present will be U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, who is visiting Central Asia. Guterres wants “to position the U.N. as an inclusive organization that’s talking to all the big clubs,” said Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center.Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India is sending his foreign minister. Indian media reports speculated the recently reelected Modi was busy with the parliament session that began last week.
Erdogan could use the meeting to hold talks with Putin, who has postponed several visits to Turkey. The leader of the NATO member has balanced relations with both Russia and Ukraine since the war began, frequently offering to serve as a mediator. Gabuev agreed, saying the SCO is a place for conversation rather than a platform where “collective decisions are made, implemented and have an impact.”
With Guterres unlikely to visit Moscow, the Astana meeting is likely his best chance to speak to Putin, Gabuev added.Neither Ukraine nor any of its Western backers are attending, and major talks — or breakthroughs — on the war are not expected.