Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed concern over the situation on the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border. In a meeting with his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon in the Russian port city of Saint Petersburg on Monday, Putin expressed his concern. A Russian news agency quoted Putin as stating, "The situation on the Afghan border now raises considerable fear and concern." The Russian president informed his Tajik colleague that Russia and Tajikistan were working on improving security cooperation. According to the report, some weapons and equipment were provided to help Tajikistan's armed forces effectively confront threats from the outside. Moscow has been attempting to strengthen its military base in Tajikistan by purchasing weapons and other equipment. Rahmon, for one, stated that the two countries work closely in the sphere of security, and that he was willing to speak with Putin about international and regional concerns, particularly the Afghan situation. Putin assures Vucic that Serbia will receive sufficient gas supplies Putin and Scholz speak on the phone about security in Europe and the situation in Ukraine Kim Jong-un calls meeting of North Korean ruling party