Xi, Putin discuss visa-free travel, global and regional issues at Bishkek
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Bishkek to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and a permanent visa-free travel regime. The leaders emphasized the importance of cooperation amidst global uncertainty.
Why it matters
The meeting signals a deepening strategic partnership between China and Russia, impacting global geopolitical dynamics.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met in Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek on Monday (August 31, 2026) and discussed a visa-free regime between the two countries, besides exchanging views on international and regional issues of common concern.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit 2026 being held in Bishkek.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and China's President Xi Jinping attend a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. | Photo Credit: AP
Mr. Putin said Russia is ready to work with China to make the visa-free regime between the two countries permanent if Beijing considers this possible and useful.
“We are ready to work together to make the visa-free regime permanent if the Chinese side considers this possible and useful,” Mr. Putin told Mr. Xi, according to Russia’s state-run TASS news agency.
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