Vladimir Putin hosts Shavkat Mirziyoyev

Welcoming Mirziyoyev, Putin congratulated him on winning the presidential election. “The result says that people trust you,” he said.

Putin added that “for Russia, Uzbekistan is not just a close neighbor, but also an ally.”

During the talks, the parties will discuss issues of further strengthening bilateral relations of strategic partnership and alliance, and will sign a number of documents.

Putin and Mirziyoyev will also raise security issues along the border with Afghanistan.