KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shisir Khanal, held a high-level bilateral meeting today with the newly appointed Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Nepal, Aleksei Vladimirovich Surovtsev, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The meeting, which served as Ambassador Surovtsev’s official introductory visit, covered a wide array of bilateral matters.

Chief among them were the upcoming celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Nepal and the Russian Federation, a milestone both nations are keen to commemorate.

However, the discussions also tackled highly pressing security and humanitarian concerns. Minister Khanal raised the critical issue of Nepali nationals currently serving within the ranks of the Russian Army.

The situation regarding Nepali citizens in the Russian military has been a point of significant domestic anxiety and diplomatic engagement for Kathmandu, which has repeatedly urged Moscow to halt recruitment, repatriate citizens, and provide compensation for families of the deceased.

Both sides expressed a commitment to continue working through diplomatic channels to address outstanding issues and further strengthen the long-standing relations between the two countries.