Putin urges Kyrgyz, Tajik leaders to avoid further escalation

Russian President Vladimir Putin called for no further escalation between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in calls with the

Central Asian countries’ leaders Sunday following intensifying border clashes.

“Vladimir Putin called on the parties to prevent further escalation and take steps to resolve the situation as soon as possible by exclusively peaceful, political and diplomatic means,” the Kremlin said in a statement.