Russian President Vladimir Putin will arrive in Turkmenistan on December 11 for a two-day visit. During his stay in Ashgabat, the Russian leader will take part in several official events and hold a series of bilateral meetings.
The visit coincides with an international forum in the Turkmen capital dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust, the International Day of Neutrality, and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality.
According to Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov, the invitation for the visit came from Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The two heads of state maintain friendly, constructive relations and remain in regular contact.
The International Day of Neutrality was established by a UN General Assembly resolution in 2017, a move actively supported by Turkmenistan. It commemorates December 12, 1995, when the UN officially recognized Turkmenistan’s status of permanent neutrality—a decision supported by all 185 member states at the time. The anniversary is celebrated nationwide as a public holiday in Turkmenistan.
This year also marks the conclusion of the UN-designated Year of Peace and Trust, an initiative launched at Turkmenistan’s Permanent Mission to the UN with the republic’s active participation.
Series of Bilateral Meetings
Traditionally, Turkmenistan holds a range of events to mark the anniversary of its neutrality, emphasizing the principles and benefits of this national policy. In 2025, Ashgabat will host the International Forum on Peace and Trust on December 12, bringing together heads of state and representatives of major international organizations.
According to the Kremlin press service, President Putin is expected to hold several bilateral meetings with foreign leaders on the sidelines of the forum.
In addition to the host, President Berdimuhamedov, and President Putin, the event will be attended by the presidents of Armenia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, as well as the prime ministers of Azerbaijan, Hungary, Georgia, and Pakistan.
President Putin last visited Turkmenistan in October 2024. During that working visit, he attended the Forum “Interrelation of Times and Civilizations – the Foundation of Peace and Development” marking the 300th anniversary of the great Turkmen poet Magtymguly Pyragy. He also held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Speaker of the Turkish Parliament Numan Kurtulmus, and Turkmen national leader and Chairman of the People’s Council Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
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Photo: Official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS