The President of Laos announced his intention to donate two elephants to the Russian Federation

Lao President Thonglong Sisoulit said during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 31 that he would like to present two elephants to Russia as a gift in honor of the anniversary of diplomatic relations.

"On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries, the Lao government and the Lao people want to present you, the Russian Federation, with a pair of elephants," the Lao leader said.

Sisoulit noted that elephants are not only a symbol of Laos, but also a symbol of peace and prosperity.

"They'll come in handy on the farm," the Russian president replied jokingly.

Putin's talks with the President of Laos in the Kremlin began earlier in the day. As the Russian leader noted, last year the trade turnover between the two countries increased by 66% and by another 20% since the beginning of this year. The Russian leader called Laos a close friend of the Russian Federation, adding that the support of Laos from the USSR is a powerful foundation for relations between Moscow and Vientiane today.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.