On 8 October a telephone conversation between President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin was held.
The state information agency TDH reports that “taking advantage of the opportunity, the Turkmen President extended cordial greetings to his Russian counterpart who celebrated his birthday the previous day and wished him good health and success in the high-ranking political office”.
Following up the conversation, the President discussed the issues pertaining to interstate cooperation, including trade and economy, as well as collaboration in the energy and transportation and communications sectors.
On 7 October 2018 Vladimir Putin turned 66;
Putin awarded a medal to Berdymukahmmedov’s grandfather on the birthday of the Turkmen President;
In October 2017 Berdymukhammedov presented a puppy of Central Asian Shepherd to Putin.