Putin's First Westbound Journey Since Ukraine Conflict's Outset Coincides with US-Russia Meeting
Russian President Vladimir Putin's International Visits Since the Ukraine Conflict
Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been a prominent figure in international diplomacy, visiting various countries to strengthen ties and participate in significant meetings.
In October 2022, Putin attended a conference aimed at promoting peace and security in Asia, held in Kazakhstan. The following month, he was present at a summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in Armenia. In September 2022, Putin held a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Uzbekistan.
Putin's travels continued in 2023, with visits to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, his first visits after launching the Ukraine war. In November, he visited Kazakhstan to cement ties with the ex-Soviet neighbor and major economic partner. Later that month, he attended a summit in Belarus of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
In December 2022, Putin met with President Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus, Russia's neighbor and staunch ally. He also attended a meeting of the Eurasian Economic Council in Kyrgyzstan. In the same month, Putin made a working visit to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The year 2023 saw Putin's first visit to North Korea, where he signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty in June. In October, he attended a forum of China's Belt and Road Initiative. Putin also met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of an international forum in Turkmenistan in October.
Putin's visit to Vietnam in June 2024 was significant, as he signed a dozen deals with President To Lam to bolster ties with a Soviet-era ally. He also visited Beijing in May to emphasize Russia and China's strategic ties. In July, he met with leaders of Iran and Turkey to discuss the situation in Syria.
Putin's travel has been limited by an International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued in 2023. However, he has received visitors in Russia, including the Malaysian king, who visited Moscow and Kazan in 2024. Putin's trip to Alaska will be his first to the United States since 2015.
In an attempt to counter Western attempts to isolate it, Russia has bolstered ties with ex-Soviet allies and other developing countries. Notably, Putin made an official visit to Mongolia in September 2024, where he was given a red-carpet welcome despite being a wanted individual by the International Criminal Court.
Putin also made a state visit to Azerbaijan in August 2024 to secure trade routes and retain Moscow's clout in the South Caucasus. In December 2024, Putin and Lukashenko signed a security pact that put Belarus under Russia's nuclear umbrella.
While the search results do not provide a comprehensive list of Putin's international visits since 2022, it is clear that he has been actively engaged in international diplomacy, participating in various meetings and forging new partnerships. For a more detailed account of Putin's travels, additional sources would be necessary.
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