Imran Khan leaves for Russia within hours of western sanctions

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday left for Russia on a two-day visit - the first by a Pakistani premier in over two decades - during which he will hold talks with President Vladimir Putin to reset the bilateral ties and expand cooperation in the energy sector.

Khan's visit to Moscow will take place hours after US President Joe Biden and other Western governments imposed tough economic sanctions on Russia for sending its military into parts of eastern Ukraine.

Khan is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar, Commerce Adviser Abdul Razak Dawood and National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf.


According to Foreign Office, the bilateral summit between Khan and President Putin will be the highlight of the visit.

"During the Summit meeting, the two leaders will review the entire array of bilateral relations including energy cooperation. They will also have a wide-ranging exchange of views on major regional and international issues, including Islamophobia and the situation in Afghanistan," the FO said. In a tweet, the Russian Foreign Office said that President Putin and Prime Minister Khan will hold talks in Moscow on Thursday.