Putin Meets Xi Jinping, Russia Seeks AI Cooperation with China

Moscow plans to establish cooperation with Beijing in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation. This was conveyed by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Chinese President Xi Jinping when the two leaders met in Kyrgyzstan.

According to AFP, Tuesday (1/9/2026), both arrived in the Central Asian country to attend the two-day summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a regional bloc that aims to serve as a counterweight to Western power.

Russia, whose forces are bogged down in the conflict in Ukraine, has strengthened ties with its main oil customer, China—a country that has never condemned Moscow over the invasion that has now lasted four and a half years.

“Cooperation is developing successfully in various fields,” Putin told Xi ahead of their talks.

Their last meeting took place in May in Beijing.

“Digital innovation, including artificial intelligence technology, also opens new opportunities for the economic development of our countries,” Putin said.

In recent months, the Kremlin has sought to tighten control over the online sphere by implementing periodic mass internet shutdowns as well as restrictions on popular messaging applications.

Moscow is encouraging Russian citizens to use the government-backed Max messaging platform—a versatile application without encryption similar to China’s WeChat; the app has drawn criticism for raising privacy concerns and the potential for surveillance.

The Russian government has also repeatedly threatened to block foreign-owned websites; this move is viewed by human rights activists as part of a broader effort by the authorities to control and monitor internet usage.