Putin vs Xi: Stark contrasts in Kazakhstan summit reception
7:39 PM EDT, July 3, 2024
Putin and Xi Jinping have arrived in Kazakhstan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. The Chinese leader was welcomed at the airport by the Kazakh president, and his greeting was conducted with real pomp. The reception for the Russian leader was much more modest. Everything is visible in the recordings.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, July 2. He was greeted at the airport by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The rest of the welcome took place with great pomp. Xi Jinping arrived by limousine at the Ak Orda presidential palace in Astana.
At the palace's threshold, both leaders had the opportunity to witness an aerial display, with aircraft leaving trails in the colors of the Chinese flag, as seen in the video posted on the X portal by Anton Gerashchenko. Inside the building, a Kazakh military orchestra awaited Xi Jinping.
Vladimir Putin received a much more modest reception, arriving in Kazakhstan on Wednesday morning. On the airport tarmac, he was met by Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. Putin and Bektenov exchanged a handshake. The Russian leader also greeted others present on the airport tarmac. On the way to the limousine, the Russian president and the Kazakh prime minister exchanged a few words.
Some experts see this as a significant signal. They recall that in the Kazakh political system, the role of the head of government is not the most important. It is worth noting that although Kazakhstan has never condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine, President Tokayev has repeatedly signaled his distance from Vladimir Putin. It is hard not to interpret Putin's welcome as yet another such signal.
Meeting of heads of state at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit
Not only the leaders of Russia and China but also those from Turkey, Mongolia, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and the Vice President of Iran have arrived in Kazakhstan. The plenary meeting scheduled for Thursday will also be attended by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and heads of other international organizations, mainly those uniting former USSR and Asian countries.
This year's summit will be held under the theme "Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue — Striving for Lasting Peace and Development." During the summit, the streets of Astana are being patrolled by a larger number of police officers. Checkpoints have been set up at the entrances to the Kazakh capital.
