Putin guarantees the stability of Russia in front of the allied countries of the Shanghai Forum

Vladimir Putin sought to convey a an image of firmness and complete control about his country at the virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held on Tuesday. The head of the Kremlin confirmed that Russia will continue to “resist external pressure, sanctions and provocations» and condemned that foreign powers are waging a «hybrid war» using «anti-Russian sanctions, illegitimate and unprecedented due to their size»

It was the first appearance of the Russian president at an international summit after the rebellion of the mercenaries of the Wagner group. Putin appeared surrounded by a group of friendly countries that did not condemn the invasion of Ukraine. The SCO consists of Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Iran.

In front of this audience of allies, Putin worked to ensure that his rule remained strong, that the country was stable and united. He also thanked them for supporting the Russian leadership to “protect our Constitution, social order and the security of our citizens.” Most of the member countries of the SCO they share a border and economic interests with Russia and they would be directly affected by the possible destabilization of Putin’s regime.

The Russian president expressed his willingness to expand and strengthen ties with OSC members and intensified criticism against the West beyond support for Ukraine. Putin warned of the risks of a new global economic and financial crisis caused by the over-indebtedness of developed countries.

At the summit, which was hosted by the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, one of Putin’s main allies, Xi Jinping, also participated virtually. In a videotaped speech, the Chinese president called for “efforts to preserve regional peace and ensure common security”. Xi assured that his country defends globalization, opposes protectionism, unilateral sanctions and “generalization of the concept of national security”, clearly referring to the differences that separate it from the United States.

At this summit, the OSC was expanded by the entry Iran as a full member and open the way to incorporate Belarus in the future.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization was established in 2001 by China and Russia to bring together former Soviet republics. The goal was to work on issues of regional security, the fight against terrorism, ethnic separatism and religious extremism. Currently OSC, which represents almost 40% of the world’s populationalso tends to expand its influence in the region as a counterpoint to the interests of Western countries.