Putin and Xi Jinping Meet Amid Russian Economic Dependence

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet Monday in Kyrgyzstan during a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. The meeting takes place as the Russian economy becomes increasingly dependent on China, following Ukrainian strikes on oil-and-gas infrastructure and the loss of access to Western markets.

China has leveraged this economic vulnerability to urge negotiations in Ukraine while benefiting from cheaper Russian oil and expanded entry into Russian domestic markets. However, the partnership faces friction over the volume of Chinese imports into Russia and pricing for gas pipelines.

The summit also serves as a platform for international recognition of Iran, which has provided drones to Russia in exchange for financial support from China. In a separate diplomatic effort, Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe recently visited Moscow to warn Russia against launching attacks on NATO member states.