Putin Blames West as PM Modi Urges Ukraine Peace
SCO summit highlights tensions, calls for conflict resolution.
At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed fingers at the West, blaming the 2014 Kyiv coup and NATO’s expansion efforts for fueling the Ukraine conflict. Speaking on Monday, September 1, 2025, Putin claimed the crisis stemmed from a “Western-provoked” ousting of Ukraine’s pro-Russia president, Viktor Yanukovych, and NATO’s persistent push to draw Ukraine into its orbit, which he called a “direct threat” to Russia’s security.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a bilateral meeting with Putin on the summit’s sidelines, urged an immediate end to the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing humanity’s call for peace. Amid strained India-U.S. relations, exacerbated by President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs on Indian goods due to New Delhi’s continued Russian oil imports, Modi reiterated India’s support for recent peace initiatives and stressed the need for a durable settlement. “We welcome all efforts to bring peace to Ukraine and hope all sides move constructively,” Modi said, highlighting India’s neutral stance.
The leaders also reviewed India-Russia ties, expressing satisfaction with growing cooperation in trade, energy, and security. Modi underscored the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” as vital for global stability, while Putin praised dynamic bilateral relations. The SCO, founded in 2001 by Russia, China, and Central Asian nations, now includes India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus, and serves as a counterweight to Western alliances like NATO.
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Putin’s remarks followed his arrival on Sunday for the summit, where he was warmly received by Chinese President Xi Jinping at an opening banquet. The summit’s focus on the Ukraine crisis overshadowed discussions, with Putin defending Russia’s actions and dismissing Western narratives of an “invasion.” Despite Trump’s unsuccessful ceasefire efforts, the SCO’s declaration condemned terrorism and double standards, aligning with India’s stance, but peace prospects remain elusive as Putin demands NATO’s retreat.
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