Putin, Xi and Iran's president head to Kyrgyzstan for SCO summit
Why it matters: The Bishkek meeting comes as Russia's war in Ukraine, US-Iran conflict and fresh sanctions strain several SCO members.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are due in Bishkek on Aug. 31 for a two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit marking the bloc's 25th anniversary. India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are also expected at the plenary session chaired by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov. Putin is set to hold separate talks with Xi and Pezeshkian as Moscow and Tehran deepen military and economic ties. The gathering comes as SCO members face wars and trade tensions, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the conflict between Washington and Tehran, and US tariffs and sanctions affecting China, India and Iran.