KATHMANDU, Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli met with a Russian delegation led by Batu Khasikov, head of the Republic of Kalmykia under the Russian Federation, at his official residence in Baluwatar on Thursday.

The two sides discussed the long-standing and friendly Nepal-Russia relations. During the meeting, Khasikov invited PM Oli to participate in the International Buddhist Conference scheduled to take place in Kalmykia this September.

In response, Prime Minister Oli requested Khasikov to forward an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin for an official visit to Nepal.

PM Oli also raised concerns about the recruitment of Nepali citizens into the Russian military, stressing that Nepal and Russia have no military agreement in place.

He urged Khasikov to deliver a message to President Putin, requesting an immediate halt to such enlistment. Khasikov assured that the recruitment of Nepali nationals into the Russian army would be stopped.

The meeting was attended by Russian Ambassador to Nepal Aleksei Novikov, officials from Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other dignitaries.