Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, which will take place next week in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. According to Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov, the two leaders are expected to discuss, among other topics, the planned Power of Siberia 2 pipeline — one of the most significant energy projects in the Moscow-Beijing relationship.
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The pipeline stretches approximately 2,600 kilometres and, if completed, is projected to transport up to 50 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually from Siberia to China, via Mongolia. Despite its ambition, however, the major energy project remains effectively frozen.
Putin to discuss Black Sea and Ukraine with Erdogan
On the sidelines of the Bishkek summit, Putin will also hold talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan regarding the situation in the Black Sea and the latest developments in Ukraine. The Kremlin leader is also scheduled to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Ushakov confirmed.
