Putin and Xi’s United Front: A Challenge to US-EU Policies at SCO Summit

The upcoming SCO Summit is set to showcase a powerful united front between Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping, aimed squarely at challenging US and EU policies. Putin has already laid the groundwork, condemning Western sanctions and celebrating a bilateral relationship at an “unprecedented level.”
The core of their joint position is a shared opposition to what they label “discriminatory sanctions.” Putin articulated that these measures hinder not only their own development but that of the wider world. This common stance provides a strong foundation for their coordinated actions within the SCO and other international bodies.
Economically, their alliance is stronger than ever. Putin touted a $100 billion increase in trade since 2021 and, crucially, a near-total shift to using the ruble and yuan for settlements. This de-dollarization effort is a direct move to insulate their economies from Western financial instruments and pressure.
As leaders from over 30 countries gather in Tianjin, the Putin-Xi axis will be the driving force behind the summit’s agenda. Their goal is to leverage the SCO platform to promote their vision of a “fairer, multipolar world,” presenting a cohesive and powerful alternative to the Western-led international order.