Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent four Amur tigers to Kazakhstan ahead of his upcoming visit to the Central Asian country, where key nuclear energy and oil transit agreements are also expected to be signed.

According to the Kremlin, the tigers including two cubs captured in Russia’s far eastern Khabarovsk region have already been flown to Kazakhstan and will soon be released into the wild as part of efforts to restore the country’s tiger population.

Russia’s ‘Tiger Diplomacy’

Kazakhstan views the Amur tiger as a close relative of the extinct Caspian tiger and has been working to reintroduce the species into the region.

The Russian gesture adds to previous tiger transfers from the Netherlands and highlights Moscow’s use of symbolic wildlife diplomacy in international relations.

Putin has previously used animals in diplomacy, including sending horses to North Korea in recent years.

Major Nuclear Deal Expected

During his visit, Putin is also expected to oversee the signing of agreements related to the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan approved plans for new nuclear plants in a 2024 referendum and aims to develop 2.4 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2035.

The Kremlin said Russia would help finance the project through a state export loan, with Moscow expected to provide around 85% of the funding.

The plant is projected to become operational between 2035 and 2036.

Oil Transit To China Also On Agenda

Putin will additionally discuss expanding the transit of Russian oil to China through Kazakhstan.

Russia previously agreed to increase oil exports to China via the Atasu-Alashankou pipeline, although the planned increase has yet to fully materialise.

Kazakhstan remains strategically important for Russia due to its energy resources, uranium reserves and geographic position between Russia and China.

(with inputs from Reuters)