The phrase “a common stand” was central to President Vladimir Putin’s pre-summit remarks, where he repeatedly emphasized the complete unity between Russia and China in their opposition to Western sanctions. This alignment is being presented as the unshakable foundation of their “unprecedented” partnership.
Putin articulated that this common stand is not merely a matter of mutual convenience but is based on a shared principle: that “discriminatory sanctions” are an illegitimate tool that hinders global development. This positions their opposition on moral and economic high ground.
This unity extends from political declarations to practical action. The joint decision to de-dollarize their trade is the most concrete manifestation of their shared resolve to build a system immune to this form of Western pressure.
At the SCO summit, Putin will leverage this unity to project strength. The message to other nations is clear: by joining with the powerful Russia-China axis, they too can find a pathway to resist external coercion and assert their sovereignty in a changing world.