Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 31st (local time) to discuss bilateral cooperation, according to Russia's TASS news agency.

This marks the second meeting between the two leaders this year.

President Putin previously paid a state visit to China on May 19 for a two-day schedule.

Meeting with President Xi in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, where the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit was held, President Putin stated, "Russian-Chinese cooperation is successfully developing across all fields, including the economy."

President Putin mentioned that major bilateral projects are being promoted in areas such as energy, industry, space, and transportation and logistics, citing that a Chinese container ship made its first regular voyage along the Northern Sea Route (NSR) in the middle of this month, and that mutual agricultural exports increased by 34%.

In particular, he said, "Digital innovations, including artificial intelligence (AI) technology, are opening up new opportunities for the economic development of both countries," adding that Russia plans to cooperate with China in this field.

President Putin emphasized, "Amid today's complex geopolitical situation, the comprehensive partnership and strategic mutual cooperation between Russia and China are a model for interstate relations," and "at their core lie the steadfast traditions of friendship, respect for sovereignty, equality, and mutual benefit."

Regarding the SCO stage that prompted this meeting, he self-assessed, "The SCO has been reborn as a full-fledged international organization," and "our initiatives have been successfully carried on."

President Putin also stated that Russia is ready to make the mutual visa-exemption agreement between the two countries permanent if China so desires.

Last year, the two countries allowed citizens of each other's countries to enter without a visa for up to 30 days, and in May, they extended this measure until the end of 2027.

Such remarks by President Putin are interpreted as demonstrating his commitment to the development of bilateral relations.

Regarding the massive casualties caused by the severe floods in the border region between China and Nepal, President Putin said, "I express my sincere condolences to the bereaved families and loved ones of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery."

Regarding the meeting that day, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov explained in an interview with the Vesti broadcaster that "the talks were held in a constructive and friendly atmosphere," and "President Xi and President Putin are resolving difficult issues based on trust."

Spokesperson Peskov noted that the two leaders briefly exchanged views on international pending issues as well, but added, "The international situation was not the main agenda."

He also added, "The Ukraine situation was also touched upon in passing and mentioned incidentally, but there was no substantive discussion."

It is projected that cooperation on the "Power of Siberia-2" gas pipeline project, which has been discussed so far, was likely addressed as an agenda item during the summit.

"Power of Siberia-2" is a gas pipeline construction project to transport natural gas from Russia's Yamal Peninsula through Mongolia to China, and upon completion, Russia will be able to export 50.0 billion cubic meters of natural gas to China annually.

However, as Russia and China failed to narrow their differences on detailed issues including supply prices, they failed to reach an agreement on this even at the summit held during President Putin's state visit to China last May.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)