MOSCOW, July 4, Renat Abdullin. The SCO summit has ended in Astana. Belarus was officially accepted into the organization, the heads of state discussed many issues, and signed more than two dozen documents. And the Russian president held several bilateral meetings and made important statements on the Ukrainian crisis.
On dialogue with the Kyiv regimeBefore leaving Astana, Putin gave a final press conference, traditional for foreign visits, in front of the pool of journalists accompanying him.
Russian President Vladimir Putin during an approach to representatives of the Russian media following the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit
Answering the expected questions about the Ukrainian conflict, he once again reminded: Russia has never refused to negotiate.
But stopping the fighting without reaching certain agreements would be a mistake. «We cannot allow the enemy to take advantage of the ceasefire to improve its position: to arm itself, to staff itself. <…> We need to ensure that the opposing side agrees to take steps that are irreversible and acceptable to the Russian Federation,» the president emphasized.
«It seems unlikely to me that the conflict can be finally ended with the help of mediators and only through them,» he continued. «First of all, because it is unlikely that the mediator will be empowered to sign the final documents.»
Putin, however, believes that it is pointless to directly contact the Ukrainian parliament, since the majority of deputies obey the illegitimate authorities in Kyiv.
He recalled that in 2015, the Supreme Court of Ukraine limited the presidential term to five years. «There are no reasons for extending the presidential powers in accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine,» the president said.
Entrance to the Supreme Court of Ukraine in Kyiv 
“All powers should go to the Rada, but it does not take these powers upon itself. Therefore, of course, you can appeal, but based on the practical situation and what happens in real life, it is more or less pointless,” he concluded .
About the American position As is known, Donald Trump promised, if elected, to achieve peace by January 20, 2025.
“The fact that Mr. Trump, as a presidential candidate, declares that he is ready and wants to stop the war in Ukraine, we take this quite seriously. I am, of course, unfamiliar with his possible proposals on how he is going to do this. And this, of course, is the key issue. But I have no doubt that he says this sincerely and we will support it,” the president assured.
Former President Donald Trump speaks during a televised debate with President Joe Biden
But he sees no point in talking now about the future of relations between Moscow and Washington: first we must wait for the results of the November elections in the USA.
About missiles The United States has withdrawn from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty) and is starting their production.
“We also consider ourselves entitled to begin R&D (development work), development, and in the future production,” Putin said. “In principle, we have already given appropriate instructions to industry.”
And he clarified: “As for deployment, <…> I said that we are declaring a moratorium on the possible future deployment of our respective systems until these missile systems appear in some region of the world. And if the systems American-made medium- and shorter-range missiles will appear somewhere, then we reserve the right to act in a mirror way. Everything remains as we said.»
The reality of a multipolar worldFor Putin (and Russia is at the origins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization), the summit was another good opportunity to «synchronize watches» with partners. He devoted the first day of the event to bilateral meetings. The programmatic speech took place at the general meeting of the leaders of the SCO countries.
«A multipolar world has become a reality,» the president said. «The circle of states advocating for a fair world order and ready to resolutely defend their legitimate rights and protect traditional values is expanding.» It is the SCO that is the pillar of the emerging world order.
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
Putin noted the important role of the organization in resolving the Ukrainian crisis. Moscow is ready to take into account the ideas of its partners.
“Russia has always stood and stands for a peaceful, political and diplomatic resolution of the situation in Ukraine, a crisis that arose as a result of the absolutely unceremonious policy of the United States led by its satellites,” he emphasized. “<…> In mid-June, we presented another a settlement option, which — if the Ukrainian side, and most importantly, its Western sponsors are ready to accept it — would allow literally at once, to immediately stop hostilities, save human lives and begin negotiations.»
Kyiv refused dialogue, recalled Putin is already at a meeting in the SCO plus format: “They did this publicly, on direct orders from London, and therefore — there is no doubt about it — and from Washington, which Ukrainian officials speak about directly and openly.”
The Istanbul agreements of 2022, however, “remain on the table and can be used as the basis for continuing these negotiations.”
The organization also deals with various problem regions. Thus, Putin supported the idea of resuming the activities of the SCO-Afghanistan contact group.
“On the Eurasian continent, in Greater Eurasia, there are still other potential sources of conflict, the growth of which is fraught with chaos and instability,” the president stated. First of all, this is the Middle East and specifically the situation in the Gaza Strip.
Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting in the SCO plus format
«History has clearly shown the unviability and counterproductivity individual attempts — in particular, the United States — to cut the Palestinian knot and refusal to implement UN decisions, which clearly provide for the creation and peaceful coexistence of two independent and sovereign states — Israel and Palestine,» he said.
In general, issues related to ensuring Eurasian and global stability “insistently require active involvement from the SCO and its member states, an energetic, calibrated line that takes into account the aspirations of our like-minded people from among the world majority countries.”
“The facts speak for themselves” Close economic ties in the SCO bring obvious dividends to all members of the association. “The facts speak for themselves. Thus, the average GDP growth of the member countries of our organization last year amounted to more than five percent, industrial production — 4.5 percent, while the inflation rate was only 2.4 percent. At the same time, Russia’s trade turnover with the SCO states increased by a quarter,” Putin cited statistical data.
Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana
Mutual settlements in national currencies are expanding: their share in Moscow’s commercial transactions with SCO members in the first four months of 2024 has already exceeded 92 percent. The President recalled the Russian proposal to create the organization's own payment mechanism.
Contacts in the field of science and education are developing. In particular, the SCO University is successfully operating, uniting 77 universities from different countries. Connections are being established between students, teachers, business and the public sector.
“As the authority and influence of the SCO strengthens, interest in its activities on the part of other states and international structures grows,” Putin noted. “<…> And, naturally, we need to carefully consider the entire solid portfolio of applications from those who wish to quality of cooperation with us.»
Sanctions hinder global developmentAs a result of the summit, a solid package of 25 documents was adopted, including the fundamental Astana Declaration. “It further highlights the commitment of all SCO participants to the formation of a fair multipolar world order based on the central role of the United Nations, international law, and the desire of sovereign states for mutually beneficial partnership,” the president explained.
The declaration affects all areas of interaction : from transport and logistics to the fight against drug trafficking and terrorism. The general position of the SCO on unilateral sanctions was especially highlighted.
Russian President Vladimir Putin at a joint photograph of the heads of delegations of member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
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“(They) undermine the multilateral trading system and impede global sustainable development. Member States emphasized that the unilateral application of sanctions is incompatible with the principles of international law and has a negative impact on third countries and international economic relations,” the document says.
Also Among the signed: decisions on the admission of Belarus to the SCO, on the draft strategy for the development of the organization until 2035, industry documents.
Partners and mediators On the second day there were also bilateral meetings. Putin, in particular, held talks with the acting President of Iran Mohammad Mokhber.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and the acting head of the executive branch of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Mokhber during a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit
Relations between Moscow and Tehran “are truly friendly and constructive,” the Russian leader noted. And he expressed confidence that this will not change after the presidential elections in Iran.
The Islamic Republic joined the SCO last year, now the Eurasian Economic Union is next, with which Tehran intends to receive observer status. The application is under consideration, Russia supports it, Putin clarified.
He also drew attention to the growth in trade turnover and tourist flow. And of course, to “the fact that our approaches practically coincide on key issues on the international agenda.”
Mokhber, in turn, conveyed “greetings and best wishes from the spiritual leader of Iran (Ali Khamenei),” as well as his message: “ Our relationship with the Russian Federation is so deep and constant that all changes in the government do not in any way infringe on this relationship.»
«It is obvious that the strategic interaction of Iran and Russia violates the equations of world dominance and unilateralism has already outlived its time,» he added. Mokhber.
Putin also met with the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The President thanked him for his “efforts aimed at resolving issues of a humanitarian nature.” It is with Qatari mediation that it is possible to return children from both the Russian and Ukrainian sides to their families. Putin especially highlighted the role of the emirate in attempts to resolve the Middle East conflict.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit
Al Thani assured that Doha will continue to carry out humanitarian work. Speaking about the Gaza Strip, he emphasized the closeness of the Russian and Qatari positions: “A Palestinian state must be created within the borders of 1967.”
High-level communication will soon continue. On July 8, Putin will receive Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Moscow (he was replaced by Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Astana). The visit will be two days.