Russian President Vladimir Putin in Uzbekistan on third trip

Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting Uzbekistan where he is to hold talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

After his arrival, Putin laid a wreath at a monument to Uzbekistan’s independence in Tashkent and held informal talks with Mirziyoyev.

Formal discussions are set to take place on Monday and news agencies have reported that Russia is open to broader cooperation on gas supplies with Uzbekistan.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying that “the possibilities here are very extensive.”

Putin has already made visits to China and Belarus since re-election in March, but trips abroad have been infrequent.

The International Criminal Court has issued a warrant for his arrest on suspicion of illegally deporting children from Ukraine, allegations the Kremlin denies.