‘Cornered’ Putin humiliated by ‘verbal slapdown’ from key ally as MI6 watches on

Live updates

1. 12d ago

   Modi Urges Putin to End Ukraine War at Bishkek SCO Summit

   Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi implored Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the endless war in Ukraine during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek. The gathering also features Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is scheduled to meet with Putin for discussions on the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline project as Russian clout faces mounting strain. Meanwhile, the summit participants formally condemned ongoing attacks and sanctions targeting Iran. Modi's direct plea arrives amid external economic pressures, including potential United States tariff threats concerning Russian oil imports.

   Why it matters

   The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan highlights shifting geopolitical alignments as wartime leaders gather against a backdrop of international friction. Russia's reliance on Asian partners has grown significantly as Western sanctions and battlefield costs isolate Moscow. Modi's intervention places public diplomatic pressure on the Kremlin from a key partner that has historically maintained neutral trade ties with Russia.

   What is confirmed

   • Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi implored Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek.
   • Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet in Bishkek to discuss the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline.
   • Shanghai Cooperation Organisation members slammed attacks and sanctions on Iran during the Bishkek summit.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Vladimir Putin suffered a humiliating verbal slapdown from a key ally as MI6 watched on.

   What to watch next

   • Developments from the bilateral meeting between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping regarding the Power of Siberia 2 talks.
   • Any official response from Moscow regarding Narendra Modi's public call to end the war in Ukraine.
   • Potential implementation of United States tariff threats on Russian oil following the summit.
   Sources used for this update (11)

   1. South China Morning Post — Xi, Putin to meet in Bishkek for Power of Siberia 2 talks: Kremlin
   2. WSJ — Putin Turns Again to China’s Xi as Russia’s Clout Crumbles
   3. The New York Times — Wartime Presidents of Russia and Iran Rally With Chinese and Indian Leaders
   4. Al Jazeera — Putin and Xi affirm strategic alliance amid ‘unpredictable’ world
   5. CNBC — Indian PM Modi implores Putin to end Ukraine war amid U.S. tariff threat on Russian oil
   6. dw.com — Putin-Modi meeting at SCO: Can Russia-India ties hold?
   7. BBC — Ukraine war: What to make of Modi's plea to Putin to end conflict
   8. aljazeera.com — SCO slams attacks, sanctions on Iran: Key takeaways from Bishkek summit
   9. The Telegraph — Modi tells Putin to stop ‘endless war’
   10. Daily Express — ‘Cornered’ Putin humiliated by ‘verbal slapdown’ from key ally as MI6 watches on
   11. Al Jazeera — Kyrgyzstan hosts pivotal SCO summit amid global geopolitical shifts
   confidence 90%