Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kyrgyzstani President Sadyr Japarov, Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Tajikistani President Emomali Rakhmon enter a hall prior to a meeting of the leaders of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member states at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 16, 2022. Alexander Nemenov/Pool via REUTERS 

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kyrgyzstani President Sadyr Japarov, Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Tajikistani President Emomali Rakhmon enter a hall prior to a meeting of the leaders of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member states at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 16, 2022. Alexander Nemenov/Pool via REUTERS 

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) welcomes his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambayev during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, March 2, 2016. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov 

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) welcomes his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambayev during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, March 2, 2016. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov 

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) welcomes his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambayev during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, March 2, 2016. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov 

World War Two veteran Abla Begaliyev, 91, is seen in an undated handout picture (L), poses for a picture in Arashan (Top R) and at home in Kyrgyzstan April 14, 2015. Begaliyev served in the border guard cavalry from February 1942 until April 1947. Originally from Kyrgyzstan, he fought on the Ukrainian front and relocated to the border with Afghanistan at the end of World War Two. As the world marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, Reuters photographers the length and breadth of the former Soviet republics (CCCP) captured portraits of Red Army veterans, mostly now in their 80s and 90s, today and through archive pictures at the time. More than 20 million Soviet citizens were killed in the war. REUTERS/Family handout (L)/Vladimir Pirogov

PICTURE 15 OF 15 FOR WIDER IMAGE STORY "SOVIET WWII VETERANS"

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Horses stand in front of a building of an abandoned uranium combine which closed in 1968, in the township of Kajy-Say, some 300 km (188 miles) east of Bishkek March 13, 2013. The population of the once bustling township has shrunk to about 2,500 from 15,000, its abandoned Soviet-built apartment houses gape with broken windows, and unemployed locals eke out a living by dismantling idle industrial buildings for construction materials. Paying no heed to radioactivity signs, some locals dig into uranium tailings, looking for machinery buried in Soviet times to extract non-ferrous metals which they sell as scrap. Picture taken March 13. TO GO WITH STORY KYRGYZSTAN-GOLD/ REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: BUSINESS COMMODITIES ENVIRONMENT POLITICS CITYSPACE) 

A Soviet era propaganda installation depicting Vladimir Lenin is seen on a hill in the township of Kajy-Say, some 300 km (188 miles) east of Bishkek March 13, 2013. The population of the once bustling township has shrunk to about 2,500 from 15,000, its abandoned Soviet-built apartment houses gape with broken windows, and unemployed locals eke out a living by dismantling idle industrial buildings for construction materials. Paying no heed to radioactivity signs, some locals dig into uranium tailings, looking for machinery buried in Soviet times to extract non-ferrous metals which they sell as scrap. Words read "Forward to the victory of communism!" . TO GO WITH STORY KYRGYZSTAN-GOLD/ Picture taken March 13. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: BUSINESS COMMODITIES POLITICS CITYSPACE) 

Workers wearing heatproof overalls pour molten gold from a crucible into moulds in a workshop at Kumtor gold mine extraction factory in the Tien Shan mountains, some 350 kilometres (218 miles) southeast of the capital Bishkek near the Chinese border, March 14, 2013. Kumtor - which means Sand Peak in the Turkic national tongue is located at more than 4,000 m (13,000 ft) above sea level and is the second-highest gold mining operation in the world. TO GO WITH STORY KYRGYZSTAN-GOLD/ Picture taken March 14. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: BUSINESS COMMODITIES) 

Men wearing Kyrgyz national hats called Kolpaks attend a rally marking the Day of Flag and the Day of Kolpak in Bishkek March 4, 2013. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: SOCIETY ANNIVERSARY)

Police take part in prayers on the first day of the Muslim holiday of Kurban Bairam (Eid al-Adha) in Bishkek, October 26, 2012. Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Adha, marking the end of the haj, by slaughtering sheep, goats, cows and camels to commemorate Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail on God's command. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

A cat wearing a hat is seen at a regional cat exhibition in Bishkek October 14, 2012. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY) 

A boy and his cat, both dressed in pirate costumes, pose at a regional cat exhibition in Bishkek October 14, 2012. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Participants fight during an opposition rally in Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek October 3, 2012. Police clashed with at least 2,000 opposition protesters demanding that the government nationalises the country's flagship gold venture with Canada on Wednesday. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A view shows the road to the Kumtor gold mine in the Tien Shan mountains October 1, 2012. Kyrgyzstan's new prime minister ruled out nationalization of a flagship gold mining venture with Canada's Centerra Gold Inc and pledged on Monday to defend badly-needed foreign investment in the volatile central Asian country. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS COMMODITIES) 

A view shows the Kumtor gold mine during a visit by Kyrgyzstan's Prime Minister Zhantoro Satybaldiyev in the Tien Shan mountains October 1, 2012. Satybaldiyev ruled out nationalization of a flagship gold mining venture with Canada's Centerra Gold Inc and pledged on Monday to defend badly-needed foreign investment in the volatile central Asian country. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS COMMODITIES) 

The 4446m (14,586 feet) high Vladimir Putin Peak (L) is seen from the cockpit of a helicopter as it flies in the Tian Shan mountains some 100km (62 miles) south of the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek September 17, 2012. The peak was named in 2011 in honour of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is due to visit Kyrgyzstan on Thursday. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: POLITICS ENVIRONMENT) 

A group of alpinists climb the 4446m (14,586 feet) high Vladimir Putin Peak in the Tian Shan mountains, some 100km (62 miles) south of the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, September 17, 2012. The peak was named in 2011 in honour of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is due to visit Kyrgyzstan on Thursday. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: POLITICS ENVIRONMENT) 

Russian and Kyrgyz national flags fly from the 4446m (14, 586 feet) high Vladimir Putin Peak in the Tian Shan mountains, some 100km (62 miles) south of the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, September 17, 2012. The peak was named in 2011 in honour of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is due to visit Kyrgyzstan on Thursday. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: POLITICS) 

Russian police officers escort detained migrant workers from Kyrgyzstan at a greenhouse on an agrarian farm during a raid conducted by the police and members of the federal migratory service near the village of Zykovo outside Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, April 8, 2012. Some twenty illegal migrants from China and Kyrgyzstan were detained during the raid, according to the police. REUTERS/Ilya Naymushin (RUSSIA - Tags: CRIME LAW BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT SOCIETY IMMIGRATION) 

A Russian police officer checks the documents of a Kyrgyz migrant worker at a greenhouse on an agrarian farm during a raid conducted by the police and members of the federal migratory service near the village of Zykovo outside Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk April 8, 2012. Some twenty illegal migrants from China and Kyrgyzstan were detained during the raid, according to the police. REUTERS/Ilya Naymushin (RUSSIA - Tags: CRIME LAW BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT SOCIETY IMMIGRATION) 

U.S. servicemen sit after boarding a transport plane before leaving for Afghanistan at the U.S. transit center at Manas airport near Bishkek, March 27, 2012. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: MILITARY TRANSPORT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) FOR BEST QUALITY IMAGE ALSO SEE: GM1E8BD1HEV01 

A horseman takes a fall during a Kok-boru, or goat dragging, competition as part of Navruz celebrations, an ancient holiday marking the spring equinox, in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek March 20, 2012. Considered Kyrgyzstan's national sport, Kok-boru is a traditional Central Asian game where players grab a goat carcass from the ground while riding their horses and try to score by placing it in their opponent's goal. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: SOCIETY ANIMALS) 

Spectators watch as horsemen take part in a Kok-boru, or goat dragging, competition as part of Navruz celebrations, an ancient holiday marking the spring equinox, in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek March 19, 2012. Considered Kyrgyzstan's national sport, Kok-boru is a traditional Central Asian game where players grab a goat carcass from the ground while riding their horses and try to score by placing it in their opponent's goal. Picture taken March 19, 2012. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: SOCIETY ANIMALS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A Don Sphynx cat is seen during a cat exhibition in Bishkek March 18, 2012. About 100 animals from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan took part in the event, according to organizers. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY) 

A prisoner on a hunger strike has his mouth sewn with a wire at a prison in Bishkek January 24, 2012. More than 1,000 inmates throughout Kyrgyzstan have taken part in protests in what local media reported as a response to authorities cutting privileges for criminal offenders with prominence. Picture taken January 24, 2012. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: CRIME LAW CIVIL UNREST) 

Believers take part in Orthodox Epiphany celebrations on the river Kara-Balta near the village of Sosnovka, some 90 km outside the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, January 19, 2012. Orthodox Christians celebrate the religious holiday of Epiphany according to the Gregorian calendar on January 19. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) 

A Soviet-made Tupolev Tu-134 lies on its back in the snow after a crash landing at an airport in the southern city of Osh, December 28, 2011. REUTERS/Pool/AKI PRESS (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: TRANSPORT DISASTER) 

People walk past a Christmas tree on a main square in Bishkek December 27, 2011. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Pilots Lt. Matthew Boatman (R) and Capt. Scott Morrison sit in the cockpit of a KC-135 fuel tanker before a flight to refuel a U.S. military plane carrying U.S. soldiers who served their term in Afghanistan at the U.S. transit center at Manas airport near Bishkek December 18, 2011. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: TRANSPORT MILITARY) 

Nurlan Alisherov, a 35-year-old unemployed man, makes an appeal to include his achievements to the Guinness World Records book in Ala-Too square in the capital Bishkek November 28, 2011. Alisherov managed to pull out from a stock 20 battered down nails with his teeth during a minute, to carry a man, weighing 55 kilos and sitting on a stool, in his mouth making the distance of 120 metres and to pull a 12-ton bus for 33 metres with his mouth, according to local media. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Fraternal twin brothers Husan and Hasan hold their brides, fraternal twin sisters Fatima and Zukhra, in their arms during their wedding ceremony in Bishkek November 26, 2011. The twin brothers, 25, married their 21-year-old brides on Saturday. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A servicewoman representing the Koytashskoye infantry unit holds a child as she casts her ballot during the presidential election at a polling station in the village of Koytash outside the capital Bishkek October 30, 2011. Kyrgyzstan began voting on Sunday to elect a new president capable of bridging divisions that threaten stability in the former Soviet republic, a vital step to completing bold reforms to create Central Asia's first parliamentary democracy. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) 

A local resident casts her ballot into a portable ballot box at her house during early voting in presidential election in the village of Kyzyl-Berlik, about 30 km (18 miles) southeast of the capital Bishkek October 29, 2011. Kyrgyzstan's presidential election on Sunday could deepen a north-south divide in the volatile Central Asian state as it seeks to complete the first experiment with parliamentary democracy in the strategic former Soviet republic. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) 

A man attends weekly Friday prayers in Bishkek October 28, 2011. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: RELIGION) 

Servicemen take part in the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) military exercises outside Bishkek September 21, 2011. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: MILITARY POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A Kyrgyz bomb disposal expert walks during a training exercise at the railway station in Bishkek September 19, 2011. Special forces, Interior Ministry troops and emergency services took part in the exercise, which was based on a railway station hijack scenario. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: MILITARY CRIME LAW) 

Horsemen take part in Kok-boru, or goat dragging competition, as part of Kyrgyzstan's independence celebrations in the capital Bishkek, August 28, 2011. Kok-boru is a traditional Central Asian game which is considered to be Kyrgyzstan's national sport. Players grab a goat carcass from the ground in full gallop and try to place it into their opponents' goal, who attempt to foil the attack by snatching the headless goat away and score for their side. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: SPORT SOCIETY POLITICS) 

Army servicemen sit on the ground as they watch a woman walk past, while waiting for instructions, during a rally near the parliament headquarters in Bishkek August 15, 2011. "April 7" party supporters gathered to protest against the decision of local authorities to transfer former Kyrgyz defence minister Baktybek Kalyev, who is on trial due to April 2010 revolt, from jail to house arrest for medical reasons, according to local media. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: MILITARY SOCIETY CIVIL UNREST POLITICS) 

Horsemen take part in a Kok-boru, or goat dragging, competition as they attend a festival of Kyrgyz folklore and popular traditions near the Son-Kul lake, 3200 meters (10499 feet) above sea level and some 400 km (249 miles) northeast of the capital Bishkek, July 21, 2011. Considered Kyrgyzstan's national sport, Kok-boru is a traditional Central Asian game where players grab a goat carcass from the ground while riding their horses and try to score by placing it in their opponent's goal. Picture taken July 21, 2011. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: SOCIETY ANIMALS IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

GOLD-KYRGYZSTAN/ - Map of Kyrgyzstan locating existing planned gold mines. Accompanies Reuters feature KYRGYZSTAN-MINING/. RNGS. (SIN03) 

A general view of the Kumtor mine in Kyrgyzstan May 31, 2011. With around 100 sizeable gold fields mapped -- but never tapped -- by Soviet geologists, the country is ripe for a mining boom. Gold has doubled in value since 2007 and prices around $1,500 an ounce could help resuscitate an economy that contracted 1.4 percent last year after the revolution and ethnic violence that killed hundreds. Picture taken May 31, 2011. To match Special Report KYRGRZSTAN-MINING REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: ENERGY BUSINESS) 

Kyrgyz women in traditional costumes and U.S. military personnel wait before a ceremony to officially open the large aircraft ramp at the Manas airport near Bishkek June 23, 2011. The ramp will provide a 52 percent increase in maximum parking capacity at the airport, according to U.S. military officials. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: MILITARY SOCIETY IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A farmer milks a horse at a high altitude summer pasture called Suusamyr, some 170 km (106 miles) south of the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, June 17, 2011. Having brought their cattle to the area, local farmers milk their horses to make the local fermented drink "kumis", which they sell to supplement their income. Picture taken 17 June, 2011. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: SOCIETY ANIMALS) 

A Kyrgyz woman drinks horse milk at a high altitude summer pasture called Suusamyr, some 170 km (106 miles) south of the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, June 17, 2011. Having brought their cattle to the area, local farmers milk their horses to make the local fermented drink "kumis", which they sell to supplement their income. Picture taken 17 June, 2011. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: SOCIETY ANIMALS) 

Foals are tethered at a high altitude summer pasture called Suusamyr, some 170 km (106 miles) south of the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, June 17, 2011. Having brought their cattle to the area, local farmers milk their horses to make the local fermented drink "kumis", which they sell to supplement their income. Picture taken 17 June, 2011. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: SOCIETY ANIMALS) 

A woman makes fermented milk patties called "Kurut" at the Suusamyr high-altitude summer pasture, some 170 km (106 miles) south of the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, June 17, 2011. Having brought their cattle to the area, local farmers milk their horses to make the local fermented drink "kumis", which they sell to supplement their income. Picture taken 17 June, 2011. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Horses graze at a high-altitude summer pasture called Suusamyr, some 170 km (106 miles) south of the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, June 17, 2011. Having brought their cattle to the area, local farmers milk their horses to make the local fermented drink "kumis", which they sell to supplement their income. Picture taken June 17, 2011. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: SOCIETY ANIMALS) 

Machinery work is seen at an underground face of the Kumtor mine in Kyrgyzstan June 1, 2011. The Kumtor mine, located about 4,000 metres (13,100 feet) above sea level in the Tien Shan mountains, contributed about 10 percent of Kyrgyzstan's gross domestic product (GDP) last year and accounted for about 40 percent of the country's exports. Picture taken June 1, 2011. To match Interview GOLD-KYRGYZSTAN/CENTERRA REUTERS/Vladimir Piragov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: BUSINESS CONSTRUCTION ENERGY) 

A general view of the Kumtor mine in Kyrgyzstan May 31, 2011. The Kumtor mine, located about 4,000 metres (13,100 feet) above sea level in the Tien Shan mountains, contributed about 10 percent of Kyrgyzstan's gross domestic product (GDP) last year and accounted for about 40 percent of the country's exports. Picture taken May 31, 2011. To match Interview GOLD-KYRGYZSTAN/CENTERRA REUTERS/Vladimir Piragov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ENERGY) 

Tourists take in the view in the Canyon of Wonders near the town of Tamga close to Kyrgyzstan's Lake Issyk Kul May 30, 2011. The canyon is popular with visitors drawn to the peculiar eroded landforms created by streams running from the Teskey Ala-Too range into the lake. Picture take May 30. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT TRAVEL) 

Brides and grooms leave after a mass wedding ceremony in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek May 7, 2011. The wedding, held for 20 couples who could not afford their own celebrations, was sponsored by the Kyrgyz government as a gift to mark the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany that will be celebrated on May 9. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: ANNIVERSARY CONFLICT IMAGES OF THE DAY SOCIETY) 

Two participants from Iowa U.S. help a young boy ride a sheep during a horsemanship exhibition in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek April 9, 2011. REUTERS/Vladimir Piragov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: SOCIETY ANIMALS) 

A horseman scores by throwing a goat carcass into the goal, made from tyres, during a Kok-boru competition as part of Navruz, an ancient holiday marking the spring equinox, celebrations in the capital Bishkek March 19, 2011. Considered Kyrgyzstan's national sport, Kok-boru, or goat dragging, is a traditional Central Asian game where players grab a goat carcass from the ground while riding their horses and try to score by placing it in their opponent's goal. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: SOCIETY ANIMALS) 

A hunting eagle attacks a chained wolf during the Kyrgyz traditional Hunters' Festival Salburun, near the town of Cholpon-Ata, some 250 km (155 miles) east from the capital Bishkek, March 5, 2011. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Kyrgyz wolfhounds attack a chained wolf during the Kyrgyz traditional Hunters' Festival Salburun, near the town of Cholpon-Ata, some 250 km (155 miles) east from the capital Bishkek, March 5, 2011. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A believer bathes in the waters of the Kara-Balta river during Orthodox Epiphany celebrations in the village of Sosnovka some 150 km (93 miles) south of the capital Bishkek, January 19, 2011. Orthodox Christians celebrate the religious holiday of Epiphany according to the Gregorian calendar on January 19. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: RELIGION)