During a telephone conversation that was held yesterday at the initiative of Uzbekistan, the presidents discussed the preparations for the upcoming CIS Heads of State Council that will be held this month under Uzbekistan’s presidency in the format of a video conference.

According to the Kremlin’s press service, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev discussed the fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

"A special focus was paid to the use of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine," the Kremlin said.

The two sides reportedly also exchanged views on some current bilateral and regional issues and reaffirmed mutual commitment to further strengthening the Russian-Uzbek strategic partnership focusing on the development of trade-economic ties.