Kyrgyzstan: Erdogan says Türkiye-Russia ties at most advanced level during Putin meeting.

***COMPLETE SHOTLIST TO FOLLOW*** SHOTLIST: BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN (SEPT. 1, 2026) 1.TURKISH PRESIDENT RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN MEETING WITH RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN ON SIDELINES OF SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION SUMMITBISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN - SEPT. 1, 2026: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that Türkiye-Russia relations are at their most advanced level, as he met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kyrgyzstan. “Today, I find it important to take advantage of such an opportunity. Türkiye-Russia relations are truly at a much more advanced level today than in any previous period,” Erdogan said during the meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of State Summit. He also highlighted the importance of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant for bilateral relations, saying the project had entered its final stage. “With the opening of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, we will once again take steps together toward the opening of some new power plants,” Erdogan added. Leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states adopted the Bishkek Declaration on Tuesday and set out plans to deepen cooperation on security, trade and technology as the organization marks its 25th anniversary. The declaration was adopted at a meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in the Kyrgyz capital, bringing together key regional leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The declaration reaffirmed the 10 member states' commitment to international law and the UN Charter and called for strengthening the UN's role in maintaining international peace and security and advancing sustainable development. The SCO comprises 10 member states: Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Pakistan will take over the SCO chairmanship from Kyrgyzstan and host the next meeting of the Council of Heads of State in 2027.