MOSCOW, February 26 (AVN) - A Russian delegation led by President Vladimir Putin left for South Korea early on Monday, 24 hours ahead of schedule, a spokesman for the Defence Ministry told the Military News Agency.
The delegation includes Deputy Defence Minister Mikhail Dmitriyev, who is in charge of Russia's military and technical co-operation with foreign states, as well as high-ranking officials of the Rosoboronexport state-owned arms trading company, the spokesman said.
In addition to ceremonial meetings, Dmitriyev will hold negotiations with South Korean National Defence Minister Cho Song-tae. The parties are expected to discuss Russian arms supplies to South Korea that may serve as compensation for Russia's USD1.8bn debt. According to some sources, South Korea is planning to buy over USD500m worth of Russian arms.
The delegation is expected to leave Seoul for Vietnam's Hanoi on Wednesday to meet the Vietnamese leadership and sign a declaration on strategic partnership, the spokesman said.
Putin and his team are to return to Moscow late on Saturday.