Putin's Third Foreign Trip Since Beginning of New Presidential Term; Arrives in Tashkent

On Sunday, June 6, the President of Russia arrived in Uzbekistan, and according to the Kremlin, his official talks with the President of Uzbekistan are scheduled to take place on Monday, June 7, in Tashkent. This trip marks Putin's third foreign visit since the start of his fifth presidential term in Russia. He first traveled to China, where he appreciated China's proposals for ending the war in Ukraine, and then went to Belarus, a country where Russia has stationed its tactical nuclear weapons. Moscow states that the discussions between Vladimir Putin and Shavkat Mirziyoyev are focused on deepening the relations between the two countries. According to news agencies, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, told Russian television that Moscow is ready for broader cooperation with Uzbekistan, a former Soviet republic, in the field of gas supply. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin on March 16, 2023, for the illegal deportation of hundreds of children from Ukraine. The Kremlin denies these allegations. Zelensky has called on the Presidents of the United States and China to participate in peace talks. Reuters reports that Putin is ready to end the war with Ukraine. The Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian Army was arrested on charges of receiving a large bribe. The British Defense Minister stated that there is evidence of a flow of 'lethal aid' from China to Russia. Another expert on hypersonic missiles in Russia was condemned for 'treason.' Russian airstrikes on Kharkiv left five dead.