SCO summit: the view from Moscow

In Dushanbe, one of the main themes discussed by the SCO members was the situation in the Caucasus. The summit expressed support for Russia in the conflict with Georgia, while noting that it is necessary to avoid a forceful solution of the situation (SCO Summit official website).

Oleg Barabanov, MGIMO Professor, Doctor of Political Sciences: -- "From my point of view, the conclusive reaction (of the summit) was muted, because the present situation is quite severe, and member countries of SCO are not ready to go fighting the Americans and NATO. That's why they have come up with a neutral statement. -- It turns out that while some countries have refrained from open support (of Russia), others have expressed tough criticism (of Russia).

Here you ought to remember Alexander III: "Russia has only two allies: the army and navy".

Mihail Alexandrov, head of the Division of the Caucasus Institute for CIS countries: -- "It was obvious that the reaction of the East would be different from the position of the West. We have not received direct support in terms of the recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. This is because China is very sensitive to the problems of separatism, and we have not done enough to convince China that this is not about separatism, but quite another process of dissolution of the State. SCO will support our peace efforts, our actions to restore peace. And that's something different."

Alexander Gurov, a member of the Duma Committee for Security: -- "SCO has not responded like Europe. SCO members have reacted cautiously. They do not praise us, but support us. If we talk about the situation as a whole, Russia could not have done otherwise. Ossetians and Abkhazians would have been virtually driven from their lands and destroyed." (Source)