BISHKEK/DEC. 8 2022 (The Bulletin) — Vladimir Putin, Russia’s leader, flew to Bishkek for a summit of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), his fourth visit to Central Asia since invading Ukraine.
The Kyrgyz authorities locked the city down as a hardcore security measure and banned protests.
Mr Putin has lost kudos in Central Asia this year since his invasion of Ukraine but Kyrgyz Pres. Sadyr Japrov greeted him warmly enough.
The EAEU is a Kremlin-dominated trade union that also includes Belarus, Kazakhstan and Armenia.
Uzbekistan is an observer member but Pres. Shavkat Mirziyoyev was absent from the meeting.
Mr Mirziyoyev has distanced himself from the Kremlin since it ordered an invasion of Ukraine and is possibly resisting pressure to join the EAEU.
ENDS
— This story was published in issue 531 of the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin, on Dec. 19 2022
— Copyright the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin 2022