In 2011, Kyrgyzstan officially named a mountain after Russian President Vladimir Putin, then prime minister, in a bid to promote friendly relations between the countries. Putin is now scheduled to visit Kyrgyzstan on September 20. Although he has a history of publicity stunts demonstrating his love of nature, there has been no indication that the Russian president intends to climb his namesake peak.
Climbing Kyrgyzstan's Mount Putin
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Vladimir Putin Peak, measuring 4,446 meters (14,586 feet) above sea level, is reflected in the window of a helicopter in the Tian Shan mountains.
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An alpinist prepares to climb Vladimir Putin Peak, whose naming has inspired some controversy within Kyrgyzstan.
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Members of the opposition Ata-Meken (Fatherland) party have complained about the mountain's new name, saying it violates a Kyrgyz law that bans naming locations after living people.
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Some Kyrgyz citizens criticize their politicians for showing too much deference to the Kremlin.
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Mountain climbers approach the summit on September 17.
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The Kyrgyz and Russian flags fly at the summit of Vladimir Putin Peak.
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