On the initiative of the Uzbek side, Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev had a telephone conversation on December 19, the Kremlin said.
It was noted that Mirziyoyev expressed sincere condolences over the death of Lieutenant-General Igor Kirillov, chief of Russia's Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops, and his aide Ilya Polikarpov, who were killed by a bomb in Moscow on December 17.
It was emphasized that Uzbekistan strongly condemns this despicable terrorist act. The intention to continue close cooperation between the two countries' special services in countering terrorism has been emphasized.
Mirziyoyev congratulated Putin on his successful annual press conference with a "Direct Line" question and answer session.
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further developing mutually beneficial Russia-Uzbekistan ties in all areas.
The press service of the Uzbek president says Mirziyoyev had a telephone conversation with Putin on December 19. They discussed topical issues on bilateral agenda and multilateral cooperation within the framework of regional organizations.
They reportedly stressed the importance of continuing close and productive interaction between the intelligence services of the two countries to strengthen the fight against challenges and threats to security.
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) took responsibility for the killing after Ukraine accused Kirillov of being responsible for the use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops – something Moscow denies.
An Uzbek man was arrested and charged with terrorism on December 19 by a Moscow court.
Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) and the security services of Uzbekistan are working together to identify accomplices in the killings, the Russian state-run news agency TASS reported on December 19.
TASS cited FSB as saying that Uzbek side was providing "all possible assistance".
