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Putin says several dozen people in his inner circle contracted coronavirus

According to the Russian President, he has to comply with the self-isolation regime for several days

NOVO-OGARYOVO, September 16. /TASS/. Several dozen people in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle contracted the coronavirus, as Putin himself said on Thursday, addressing a summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) via video link.

"You know that unfortunately, I had to cancel my visit to Dushanbe at the last minute. I do regret it but the reason is that as you know, coronavirus cases were identified in my inner circle," Putin pointed out. "It’s not just one or two but several dozen people," he added. "So now I have to self-isolate for several days," the Russian president noted, apologizing for being unable to attend the event in person and shake hands with the summit’s participants.

"However, we are certainly interested in participating, albeit remotely, in the discussion of the key tasks facing our organization," Putin emphasized.

He also thanked Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon for his active work during the country’s CSTO chairmanship, including preparations for the meeting.

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Vladimir Putin CSTO

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FACTBOX: Collective Security Treaty Organization

The Collective Security Treaty came into force on April 20, 1994 to herald the emergence what would eventually become the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The six member-countries are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

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