MOSCOW : President Vladimir Putin has begun his visit to Turkmenistan, a Central Asian nation, where he is set to participate in an international conference later on Friday, according to video footage shared by the Kremlin.

The conference, taking place in the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat, will be attended by regional leaders. Putin is also scheduled to hold a separate meeting with Turkmenistan's President, Serdar Berdymukhamedov.

Footage released by the Kremlin on Friday morning showed Putin arriving at the venue in his limousine and exchanging greetings with the Turkmen leader inside.

Additionally, the Kremlin announced that Putin plans to discuss the Middle East situation on the conference's sidelines with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is also expected to attend.