Turkmenistan has bestowed one of its most important state awards on the wife of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, claiming she has helped to improve relations with the Central Asian nation.
President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov said at a ceremony Monday that Svetlana Medvedeva was also being recognized for inspiring spirituality and morality among young people.
Medvedeva isn't known to have ever shown any particular interest in Turkmenistan, raising suspicions that granting her the Ruhubelent Order may be an attempt by the former Soviet republic to curry favor with Moscow.
(AP)
Related articles:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
