Bruce Pannier: Russia flexes its muscles in Turkmenistan
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov on the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) summit in Tehran on November 23, 2015.
Judging by recent events it appears that Turkmenistan and Russia are experiencing a thaw in their relationship. Top officials from the two countries have been meeting face-to-face in recent days. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu flew to Ashgabat to meet with Turkmen officials on June 9. The same day the speaker of Turkmenistan's parliament was in Moscow meeting with State Duma chairman Sergei Naryshkin.
