The Kremlin says Uzbekistan’s President Islam Karimov has indicated that he will visit Moscow on May 9 to take part in events commemorating the 70th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
The announcement was made on May 7 by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aide Yury Ushakov, who said Karimov had accepted Putin’s invitation.
Officials in Karimov's office told RFE/RL that they were aware of the Kremlin's announcement. But they said they were not able to immediately confirm whether Karimov would travel to Moscow for the events.
Karimov’s aides had said repeatedly in recent weeks that Karimov would not attend the celebrations in Moscow.