Vladimir Putin

Anyone seriously considering China playing a role as peacemaker in Ukraine needs to wrestle with its constant and overt declarations of “unswerving” partnership with Russia.

While the Putin-Xi friendship is important, it mostly oils the wheels of a relationship driven by longer-term structural trends.

It is looking increasingly likely that the Russian leader will not be present at either summit – at least not physically.

On the same day as the vote, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed his attendance at next month's APEC Summit in Bangkok.

The SCO meets at a time of geopolitical flux in the Asian heartland. What’s the significance?

The not-so-subtle criticism of the Russian government regarding Ukraine in Kazakh President Tokayev’s UNGA speech should not be overlooked.

Beijing has avoided violating sanctions, but its purchases of Russian oil and gas rose almost 60 percent in August over a year ago.

The meeting reflected the growing strategic convergence between the two international outcasts.

According to the Indonesian leader, Vladimir Putin has promised to open a sea route to allow exports of food and fertilizer from Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that the Indonesian leader will visit the two warring nations "in the spirit of peace."

In a recent interview, the Kazakh president again pushed back against those in Russia who say Moscow "saved" Kazakhstan in January.