Russia's president has begun a three-day state trip to the Central Asian country

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Kazakhstan on Wednesday for a three-day state visit, with his plane escorted into Astana by the republic's fighter jets.

Putin was personally welcomed at the airport by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Military and youth orchestras took part in the arrival ceremony, while an honor guard representing all branches of Kazakhstan's armed forces lined the tarmac.

Tokayev's press service later confirmed that Russia's presidential aircraft had been escorted from the moment it crossed the country's border until its landing in Astana.

The visit at Tokayev's invitation, which runs from May 27 to 29, coincides with a summit of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Putin is also expected to take part in meetings of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.

Talks in Astana are expected to focus on trade, energy, regional integration, and broader bilateral cooperation. The Kremlin has described relations between Moscow and Astana as being at an "exceptionally high level."

The trip is Putin's second state visit to Kazakhstan during his current presidential term - a relatively rare diplomatic format that Moscow says reflects the close ties between the two countries.

The main events are scheduled for Thursday, when the two leaders are expected to hold talks before overseeing the signing of a package of bilateral agreements.

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Russian officials said the sides have prepared 16 documents for signing, including a joint statement on the foundations of friendship and good-neighborliness between the peoples of Russia and Kazakhstan. Agreements linked to energy cooperation, as well as plans for the construction of Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant, are also expected to be discussed.

Putin last visited Kazakhstan in November of 2024, while Tokayev traveled to Moscow on a state visit last year.