Putin and Xi to discuss pipeline agreement in Kyrgyzstan
Russian presidential aide confirms bilateral talks on gas pipeline project during upcoming SCO summit
Quick Look
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are set to hold bilateral talks in Kyrgyzstan on August 31 to discuss a long-stalled gas pipeline agreement, ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The meeting involves the finalization of a long-stalled pipeline project intended to increase Russian gas deliveries to China.
The meeting in Kyrgyzstan’s capital will be their second face-to-face talks this year, following Putin’s trip to Beijing shortly after a visit there by US President Donald Trump.
“The issue will be discussed bilaterally,” Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov was quoted as saying on Friday by Russian news agency Interfax.
“It will be discussed not only at the level of the [September 1-4] Eastern Economic Forum [in Vladivostok], but also in the meeting with the Chinese leader, which will take place on August 31.”
Ushakov was responding to a question on whether the two sides were going to finalise the agreement over the long-stalled pipeline, a flagship project designed to boost Russian gas deliveries to China and further consolidate ties between the two neighbours.
The Chinese foreign ministry said earlier this week that Xi would pay a state visit to Kyrgyzstan starting from Sunday and attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit there.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Putin and Xi to meet on August 31 in Kyrgyzstan.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Will the pipeline agreement be finalized during the meeting?
