The Astana Summit: Russia and China unite for a multipolar world

The presidents of Russia and China, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping respectively, came together in a joint declaration during the summit held in Astana, Kazakhstan, advocating for a multipolar world that opposes American unilateralism, denouncing the alleged hegemony of the United States in international relations. This meeting, which included countries such as Iran, India, and various nations of Central Asia, aims to mark a milestone in the changes taking place in the global scenario, both in politics and in the economy and other spheres of international relations. The commitment of the participants of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to the formation of an equitable multipolar world order was emphasized by Putin, who highlighted the importance of the SCO defending fairness and justice in a context marked by profound transformations. Xi Jinping, on his part, urged to resist external interferences and to stand on the side of justice, in clear opposition to what they consider a hegemonic attitude by the United States. The incorporation of Belarus as the tenth member of the SCO, a country allied with Russia in its conflict with Ukraine, underscores the willingness of these countries to come together to break away from the unipolar order established by Western powers. In this sense, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that they have the power to break down the walls of the unipolar world, sending a strong message about their intention to counter Western influence. In a context where the SCO represents 40% of the world's population and around 30% of global GDP, the presence of leaders like Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, at the Astana summit highlights the growing importance of this bloc as a counterbalance to Western powers. However, despite the symbols of unity, disagreements persist among SCO members, especially regarding influence in Central Asia. Russia and China, despite their desire to form a united front against Western powers, have historically been rivals for influence in Central Asia, a strategic region rich in natural resources and crucial for transportation between Europe and Asia. The former Soviet republics of Central Asia share cultural, linguistic, and economic ties with Russia, which has generated tensions in the region due to the competition between Russia and China for control and influence in these countries. In this regard, China's Belt and Road Initiative, an ambitious infrastructure project aimed at strengthening commercial ties between Asia and Europe, has raised concerns in Russia, which sees its influence in Central Asia threatened by China's growing investment in the region. The summit in Astana has highlighted the complexities and rivalries at play in this geopolitical scenario, where the struggle for influence and power intertwines with opposing visions of the world order and multipolarity.