Putin Arrives in Kyrgyzstan for SCO Summit

By Moscow Times Reporter Aug. 31, 2026 Vladimir Putin descends the staircase from his presidential jet. kremlin.ru BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — President Vladimir Putin arrived in Kyrgyzstan on Monday to attend an annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), as well as a series of bilateral meetings with the leaders of China, India and other nations. A Moscow Times reporter observed a heavy police presence and traffic jams in the capital Bishkek ahead of the Russian president’s arrival. Putin will first meet Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss the long-delayed Power of Siberia 2 natural gas pipeline project, followed by a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Those first two meetings, as well as a third with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, are part of the Russian leader’s nine bilateral talks with foreign leaders that will extend through Tuesday. Later on Monday, Putin will join other heads of state at the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games, a biennial cultural and athletic event featuring traditional Central Asian sports such as horseback archery, falconry and mounted wrestling. On the sidelines of the SCO summit, Putin will meet with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for the first time since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran in February 2026. Putin will also discuss Black Sea security and the war in Ukraine with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In addition, he will meet with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to discuss Yerevan’s growing pivot toward the EU and the arrests of Armenia’s pro-Russian opposition figures. Putin traveled to Bishkek with a “compact” seven-member delegation that includes Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, presidential aides Maxim Oreshkin and Yury Ushakov, as well as Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, SCO coordinator Bakhtiyor Khakimov and Russian Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Sergei Vakulov. The 10-member SCO bloc was founded in 2001 by Russia and China to counter Western influence across Eurasia. Its other members include India, Iran, Pakistan, Belarus and four Central Asian republics. Following the SCO’s final session and press conference in Bishkek, Putin is scheduled to fly directly to Vladivostok for the Eastern Economic Forum. Read more about: Kyrgyzstan , Putin , SCO Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Putin Briefs India, Brazil, South Africa and Regional Allies on Alaska Summit Putin held a similar phone call blitz with Russia’s allies ahead of the Aug. 8 deadline that Trump had given him to end the war against Ukraine. 2 Min read Armenian PM to Skip Summit Putin Due to Attend – Kyrgyzstan Pashinyan's snubbing the meeting of a Moscow-led regional grouping is a further blow to ties between Yerevan and Moscow, which have soured in recent weeks... 1 Min read Putin's Kyrgyzstan Visit to Be First Abroad Since ICC Warrant Vladimir Putin is due to visit a Russian air base in the city of Kant, east of the capital Bishkek, for the 20th anniversary of its opening. 1 Min read Large Statue of Putin Unveiled in Kyrgyzstan A ski resort in Kyrgyzstan revealed a large statue of Putin after the resort founder received a million-dollar Russian loan.