Overview
- A Russia–Central Asia summit begins Thursday with leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan attending.
- A broader Commonwealth of Independent States gathering will follow with the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus.
- Russia’s defence minister Andrei Belousov met Tajik counterpart Emomali Sobirzoda and stressed that military cooperation underpins stability in Central Asia.
- Talks are expected to focus on regional development and the status of millions of Central Asian migrant workers in Russia who send remittances home.
- Putin is set to hold a state meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and plans separate talks with Azerbaijan’s Ilham Aliyev after recent strains in bilateral ties.