Malaysia's Supreme Ruler to Visit Russia on August 5

Malaysia's Supreme Ruler Sultan Ibrahim will visit Russia next week, the state visit will take place from August 5 to 10, the Kremlin website reports .

As part of the trip, the Malaysian leader will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The parties are expected to discuss the further development of Russian-Malaysian relations and "current international and regional issues." The meeting is scheduled for August 6, the Kremlin said.

On July 31, Putin held a meeting in the Kremlin with Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, who arrived in Moscow on an official visit. The Russian leader reported that trade turnover between the countries increased by 66% last year, and by another 20% in January-May of this year. The Lao leader announced that in honor of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Russia, the leadership and people of the country decided to give Moscow two elephants. Putin thanked Sisoulith and noted that "the animals will come in handy in the household."