Starting Thursday, Putin will attend a Russia-Central Asia summit alongside the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Following this, leaders from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Belarus will join for a meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a regional organisation comprising several former Soviet countries.

Putin’s international travel has been limited due to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court related to the deportation of Ukrainian children amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Despite this, he has been increasingly focused on strengthening ties with Russia’s neighbours in Asia, including a close partnership with China and cooperation with North Korea.

The summit provides an opportunity for Putin to reinforce relations with Central Asian states and address concerns about regional stability, which has occasionally been threatened by border disputes and internal conflicts. Tajikistan experienced a civil war after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, resulting in significant casualties.

On the same day, Russia’s Defence Minister Andrei Belousov met with his Tajik counterpart, Emomali Sobirzoda, to discuss military cooperation and emphasise the importance of stability in Central Asia.

In recent years, Russia’s influence in the region has diminished, with some countries, such as Kazakhstan, adopting more balanced stances regarding the conflict in Ukraine. During this visit, Putin is scheduled to meet with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, who has been in office since 1992 and previously expressed concerns about Russia’s treatment of Central Asian nations.

The agenda is also likely to include discussions about migrant workers from Central Asia who work in Russia and send remittances back home. Additionally, Putin is expected to meet with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, amid recent tensions in bilateral relations.