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Putin arrives in Bishkek to take part in CIS summit

Russia is expected to propose to hold the next Commonwealth summit in October 2017 in Moscow

© AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

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BISHKEK, September 16. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Bishkek for a two-day visit. On Friday, he will take part in the meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Council of Heads of State.

The Commonwealth celebrates its 25th anniversary. The jubilee summit is preceded by a meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers where Russia is represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Two meetings - in the narrow and extended formats - are to be held during today’s summit. The participants are expected to sign a package of 15 documents. The signing ceremony will be followed by a formal reception on behalf of the host of the summit.

The participants in the narrow-format meeting are to discuss five major issues. However, discussions of other topics offered by any president or the head of a delegation are not ruled out. Among the issues that are due to be discussed are the statement by the heads of state in connection with the CIS 25th anniversary, the organization’s adaptation to the modern realities, the issue of the transfer of CIS chairmanship to Russia in 2017, holding another meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State and the question of the Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee.

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The extended-format meeting will begin with President Atambayev’s speech. Then the floor will be given to Vladimir Putin who will speak about the priorities of Russia’s upcoming CIS chairmanship.

It is expected that Russia will propose to hold the next Commonwealth summit in October 2017 in Moscow and extend the powers of Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee Sergei Lebedev for another three years - from 2017 to 2019.

The second day of Putin’s visit to Kyrgyzstan will be dedicated to the bilateral agenda. On September 17, he will meet with Kyrgyzstan’s President Almazbek Atambayev to discuss the development of trade and economic ties between the two countries, including in the context of Kyrgyzstan’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union.

Later in the day, Putin and other leaders of the CIS member-countries are expected to take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial to those killed during the 1916 national liberation movement and in a joint wreath-laying ceremony at the moment to WWII soldiers.

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Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

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Russia has significant amount of West’s funds in case of confiscation of its assets

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Oksana Markarova explained that $4 billion worth of weapons that was to be provided under the previous decisions still remained undersupplied

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Top Russian security official pledges continued push toward global justice

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US arms supplies unable to change situation in Kiev's favor — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that a year ago the opponents "were telling everyone that they were waiting for the moment Russia would be defeated on the battlefield"

Putin informed about detention of Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov

Minister Sergey Shoigu was also informed beforehand, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

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Roman Starovoit thanked air defense troops and the regional crisis center and cautioned residents against approaching the drone wreckage if found

Gagauzia against Chisinau’s policy of severing ties with Russia

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Vasily Prozorov noted that the perpetrators could have been eliminated once they crossed the border

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Detained deputy defense minister suspected of taking grand bribe of over $10,000

This charges carries a punishment of up to 15 years behind bars

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Ukraine "is carrying a heavy burden" for the benefit of the EU, and therefore EU member states must "provide Ukraine with means to defend themselves," European Commission president said

Network of international conspirators plotted Crocus terrorist attack — watchdog

Yury Chikhanchin pointed out that the perpetrators of the attack were provided with money, weapons, transportation and ammunition

Moscow court arrests Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov over bribery case

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