Ushakov: Vladimir Putin will attend opening ceremony of World Nomad Games

Vladimir Putin is due to attend the opening of the VI World Nomad Games in Bishkek, adding a ceremonial event to a two-day visit dominated by regional diplomacy.

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, who currently chairs the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, invited the leaders of member states to watch the ceremony before the summit’s work begins. The opening will take place on Aug. 31 at the new Bishkek Arena stadium, while competitions will be held the following week on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul.

Putin’s schedule includes the SCO Council of Heads of State, a meeting in the SCO+ format and a series of bilateral consultations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the visit as “long and substantive,” with numerous meetings planned in Bishkek.

“

long and substantive

Ushakov said Putin would meet Chinese President Xi Jinping soon after arriving in Bishkek. The talks will cover current issues in bilateral cooperation and major international problems. Ushakov did not say whether the two sides would finalize agreements on the Power of Siberia 2 gas project, but said the issue would be discussed.

Putin is also scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his planned September visit to India for the BRICS summit. The first part of the bilateral meetings marathon will conclude with talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Ushakov said the leaders had additional issues to discuss despite meeting recently at a Russia-Kazakhstan cooperation forum in Omsk.

“

a very important meeting