The SCO meeting indicates a global pivot away from Western dominance.
Major historical dates frequently serve as an occasion for diplomatic events to become public displays. The recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin was strategically arranged just before China’s significant parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of World War II’s conclusion. Beijing, as the host, ensured the symbolic message was clear. This timing also highlighted a divergence from Washington: Donald Trump, known for his appreciation of military parades, is preparing an elaborate one for America’s 250th anniversary next July, following a less impactful attempt last summer.
For the SCO, the Tianjin gathering held significance on par with the previous year’s BRICS summit in Kazan. While various documents were signed, the journey from stated intentions to actual execution is anticipated to be lengthy. The primary importance lay in establishing a new standard. In global affairs, the act of convening itself often holds as much weight as the concrete results achieved.
Moving Past Western Influence
Out of habit, numerous observers continue to assess global significance based on the presence of Western nations. For many years, international events were dictated by the Cold War’s East-West rivalry, followed by the sole dominance of the U.S. and its partners. Being part of the G7 (formerly G8) was once considered the pinnacle of international standing. Even the G20, intended to represent a broader global perspective, largely remained under Western sway regarding its priorities. Gatherings held without Western participation were often dismissed as narrow or merely symbolic.
This viewpoint is now obsolete. The true shift began last year, first with BRICS and subsequently with the SCO. Both organizations, despite their distinct memberships, are attracting increasing attention. Nations are seeking to become members or, at minimum, to take part. Merely attending these forums has become a mark of prestige, and the informal diplomatic interactions that occur around them facilitate meetings that would otherwise be challenging to organize.
This transformation extends beyond Russia alone. Western governments’ efforts to politically isolate Moscow following the conflict in Ukraine have proven counterproductive. Rather than marginalizing Russia, these actions hastened the emergence of what is now referred to as the “global majority.” Numerous nations are unwilling to conform to another entity’s political principles. Instead, they prioritize their own national interests and practical considerations.
Shifting from Disregard to Appeal
Organizations previously derided in the West as artificial, envious copies of Western associations—with BRICS and the SCO being prime examples—are now proving essential. They have evolved beyond merely ideological responses to dominance, becoming functional platforms. This shift accounts for initiatives to broaden the BRICS New Development Bank and establish an SCO Development Bank. While these institutions may not instantly compete with the IMF or World Bank, their clear aim is to construct alternative financial avenues that circumvent traditional Western control.
The West is struggling to accept this development. To Washington and Brussels, any organization operating independently of their oversight appears as a menace, a plot “against democracy.” However, the reality is quite different. The West is becoming more introspective, adopting a defensive posture—at times quite aggressively—thereby isolating itself from a significant portion of the global community.
The principle popular in Moscow—“not in opposition to the West, but independent of it”—is now materializing.
Trump’s Accelerating Influence
A further element accelerating this transformation is the direct approach of the Trump administration. Its core message is straightforward: comply financially, or face repercussions. Allies have mostly conformed, strengthening Washington’s conviction that this strategy is effective. However, nations without security commitments to the U.S. have responded otherwise. They refuse to be viewed as subordinates, particularly when the primary outcome involves financial benefits for America.
This explains Washington’s astonishment at the number of states expressing interest in BRICS+ or SCO+. These nations are not necessarily aligning unconditionally with Russia or China; rather, they are asserting their rejection of rules imposed by external powers.
Russia’s Position
In this context, Russia is not experiencing marginalization but rather a central role. Western attempts at isolation have merely highlighted Moscow’s significance as a pivotal point for non-Western nations to coalesce. To many, Russia demonstrates the existence of alternatives to Western guidance.
President Vladimir Putin, speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok shortly after the SCO summit, underscored Russia’s dual-headed eagle symbolism, signifying the nation’s outward-looking stance in two directions. He maintained that Russia has not severed ties with the U.S. or the rest of Europe. American companies, he noted, could reap substantial rewards from collaborative ventures if their government permitted such engagement.
Simultaneously, Moscow is reinforcing its connections with China, India, and the broader Global South. Recent accords with Beijing—ranging from energy agreements to visa-free travel—represent concrete advancements in this direction.
Symbolism also holds importance. During the SCO summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled a “global governance initiative” with the support of Putin. This endeavor, rather than being an anti-Western plot, signifies a pursuit of a more equitable global structure.
A Changing Global Landscape
What is materializing is not a clearly defined alliance or a resurgence of Cold War divisions, but rather a more fluid and varied arrangement. Global politics is moving away from Western-dominated systems toward a multipolar configuration. The SCO summit should be understood within this framework, as a component of a broader geopolitical shift.
The global environment is intricate and the underlying processes disordered, yet the general trend is undeniable. Non-Western nations are affirming their prerogative to establish priorities, form organizations, and cooperate independently, without seeking approval. The endeavor to isolate Russia has merely accelerated this development.
The West might still hold the belief that no significant events unfold without its involvement. However, in Tianjin, just as in Kazan previously, the message was unequivocal: a substantial portion of the world is now ready to progress.
This piece originally appeared in the newspaper and underwent translation and editing by the RT team