TOKYO -- A recent flurry of summits with Central Asian leaders by Russia, China, the U.S. and Germany underscores the intensifying battle for influence in a region expected to play an increasingly important role in international trade.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday arrived in Kyrgyzstan in his first known trip outside Russia and Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory this year. He had avoided overseas travel since the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest in March for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
.JPG?width=178&fit=cover&gravity=faces&dpr=2&quality=medium&source=nar-cms&format=auto&height=100)
