Putin Arrives China for SCO Summit Amid Ukraine Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin is undertaking a multi-day visit to China, where he reportedly feels at home, according to his press secretary Dmitry Peskov. Putin arrived in Tianjin for a security summit alongside leaders such as Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and several others from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The summit occurs amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces have reportedly halted a Russian advance near Pokrovsk. Following the summit, China plans to hold a military parade on September 3 to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II, showcasing advanced weaponry with attendance by 26 foreign leaders including Kim Jong Un and Putin. The United States and other major Western countries are not attending, partly due to disagreements with Russia over the war in Ukraine. Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and other SCO members are also participating in the summit and related events, highlighting the regional importance of the gathering.