MOSCOW, September 2 — RIA Novosti, Viktor Zhdanov. The summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) with the participation of Vladimir Putin has ended in Kyrgyzstan. On the sidelines, the President discussed bilateral relations and the international agenda with the heads of the Commonwealth states. And before leaving Bishkek, he answered the journalists' questions. About the main statements — in the material of RIA Novosti.
Negotiators are needed, but mobilization is not
The press conference took place when it was already about two o'clock in the morning in Bishkek. Communication with media representatives was not limited to the last summit, a wide range of topics were touched upon.
"Negotiations on Ukraine have been frozen to a certain extent," the Russian leader said. Nevertheless, Moscow is comfortable working with US President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. According to Putin, they are "always welcome guests."
Moscow wants to achieve long-term peace in both Ukraine and Europe, not just a cessation of hostilities.
The president called Zelensky's threats to civilian aircraft in the skies over Russia "an application for state terrorism." Kiev is asking for personal meetings, but "they are not negotiating with terrorists." In case of attempts to close Russian airspace, Moscow "will find something to respond with."
The day before, the Ukrainian Armed Forces tried to hit three Russian refineries. The level of their protection is completely different now, the head of state noted. 10% of previously damaged enterprises remain to be repaired in the country. The armed forces continue to strike back at the enemy's infrastructure, but not at the leadership of the Kiev regime.
"We proceed from the fact that we need some people. If they realize that they want to resolve issues peacefully, and not just destroy our economy in 40 days and bring it to its knees, and inflict another strategic blow on us.… Then some kind of negotiators are needed," Putin explained.
The president also denied the rumors about the alleged upcoming autumn mobilization in Russia.
President Vladimir Putin answers questions from the media in Bishkek
Image source: © RIA Novosti
Increasing the pace
Before the press conference, Putin spoke with Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov and told reporters about the situation in his military area.
Russian troops "are not just advancing, but increasing their pace," he stressed.
In August, 270 square kilometers of the DPR territory, including 15 settlements, came under Russian control. The city of Svyatogorsk was liberated. There are 12 kilometers left to Sumy ring road.
Units of the Center group are advancing in the most important areas, fighting street battles in Dobropillya. The Zapad group blocked a large Ukrainian Armed Forces compound on the eastern shore of the Krasnooskolsky reservoir near the village of Peski-Radkovskie and began its destruction.
The troops of the Yug group reached the eastern outskirts of Slavyansk, Kramatorsk and the southern outskirts of Druzhkovka. They are between one and a half and four kilometers from the city limits.
Vostok and Dnepr are approaching Zaporizhia. Nine settlements were liberated in August. Fighting is currently continuing in the central quarters of the city of Orekhov.
The Russian military also continues to expand the security zone in the border areas of Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
In the north-east of the Kharkiv region, up to two thousand enemy soldiers were surrounded. The area of the "boiler" is 460 square kilometers, there are 27 settlements.
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the command post of the Zapad group
Image source: © RIA Novosti
Ready for any choice
Russia and Armenia agreed to maintain dialogue on the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the European Union is in a calm mode, Putin told reporters. For this purpose, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received an invitation to Moscow.
At a meeting with him the day before, the Russian president pointed out that Armenia's desire to join the EU is a legitimate right, but it creates difficulties, including with staying in the EAEU.
Nevertheless, Moscow stands for friendship with Yerevan. This year, Armenia's trade turnover with Russia, its main trade and economic partner, has already reached $2.5 billion.
"Over more than ten years of participation in the Eurasian integration processes, Armenia's GDP has almost tripled — in 2015 it was 10.6 billion dollars, by the end of 2025 it was 29.2 billion," Putin said.
And he added: the sooner Yerevan decides, the better. Moscow will respect any choice of the Armenian people.
They asked about the military base in Gyumri. "If Armenia believes that Armenia does not need the Russian base, we will leave tomorrow. But is Armenia ready for this?" — Putin replied.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a meeting on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek
Image source: © RIA Novosti / POOL
Without "double standards"
This year's SCO summit marks its 25th anniversary.
Following the meeting of the Council of Heads of State, the joint Bishkek Declaration and 27 other documents were signed.
The SCO leaders insist on the need for guarantees to prevent an arms race in outer space and the inadmissibility of "double standards" in the fight against terrorism.
"We must do everything to exclude from world practice any provocation of armed conflicts," Putin said at the summit.
Russia is not satisfied with everything in the activities of the United Nations, but this organization should have a central role in world affairs, and its charter should serve as the basis of international law. Putin also called for expanding the UN Security Council to include countries in the Global South and East.
The SCO presidency has now passed from Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan, where the next summit will be held in 2027.
SCO Plus meeting in Bishkek
Image source: © RIA Novosti / POOL
Across the board
Talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping opened a series of bilateral meetings of the Russian president in Bishkek.
Putin noted that the approaches of Moscow and Beijing in foreign policy issues completely coincide. Cooperation between Russia and China is "successfully developing in all directions." Xi Jinping, in turn, stressed that cooperation will continue to deepen.
Thanks to the visa-free regime, the mutual tourist flow increased by 43% in the first half of the year. Moscow is ready to make the visa-free regime permanent. The Chinese Foreign Ministry believes that this will strengthen friendship between the peoples.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit
Image source: © RIA Novosti / Kristina Solovyova
Cooperation with India is also strengthening. According to Putin, this is the result of the personal attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"For which I am very grateful to you," the Russian president told him.
Recalling that the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Moscow and New Delhi is to be celebrated in 2027, Putin admitted that he is very seriously preparing for the BRICS summit in India, which will be held this month.
After the talks, the president and the Prime Minister boarded an Aurus and went to the opening ceremony of the VI World Nomad Games at Bishkek Arena Stadium, where Putin greeted Russian athletes from the podium for honored guests.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit
Image source: © RIA Novosti / POOL
Russia will host the next VII World Nomad Games in Kazan in 2028, he said.
"We are ready to provide full assistance," said Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.
On the sidelines of the ceremony, Putin spoke with President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. They noted that the mutual trade turnover has increased by 12% since January, and the implementation of major projects in industry, energy, metallurgy, transport and other sectors continues.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov during a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek.
Image source: © RIA Novosti / POOL
At a meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Ala-Archa state residence, the Russian leader congratulated him on his election to the Kurultai.
"We will work with the Russian state, with the great Russian state, at the same pace, with the same dynamics and with the same sincerity," Tokayev replied, stressing that "there has never been a conflict between Kazakhs and Russians in history."
Putin had a conversation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev "on his feet" on the day of the summit. There he also spoke with the head of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The Russian president expressed confidence to the Turkish leader that Rosatom will launch the Akkuyu NPP unit this year. He offered to do this together, stressing that relations between the two countries are at the highest level.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev before the start of the SCO Plus meeting in Bishkek
Image source: © RIA Novosti / POOL
Putin told President Masoud Peseshkian that Russia stands in solidarity with the people of Iran in the struggle for national interests and is trying in every possible way to help. Despite the difficult military and political situation, Moscow and Tehran maintain good trade and economic dynamics.
"We thank you for your position during the war, during the conflict, during the US sanctions," Peseshkian replied.
Speaking with the leader of Tajikistan, Putin drew attention to the close cooperation between Moscow and Dushanbe in the field of security.
"We know your concerns about what is happening in the neighboring country, Afghanistan. We are in close contact on these and other issues," he assured.
From Bishkek, the president headed to Vladivostok for the Eastern Economic Forum.
SCO Summit in Kyrgyzstan
Image source: © RIA Novosti / POOL
