Putin, Xi to speak at summit in Uzbekistan

The leaders are attending a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Chinese President Xi Jinping before an extended-format meeting of heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit (SCO) member states in Sam

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are set to address fellow leaders at a summit in Uzbekistan on Friday.

Putin and Xi are attending a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a regional body their countries have led since its inception which now also includes heavyweights such as India and is about to admit Iran.

Putin on Thursday said he understood that Xi had questions and concerns about the situation in Ukraine but praised China's leader for what he said was a "balanced" position on the conflict.

Putin also plans to meet the leaders of Azerbaijan, India and Turkey on Friday.