Russia's Putin to set off on first abroad visit since ICC warrant

Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit Kyrgyzstan next week, marking his first trip abroad since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him in March.

According to the Moscow Times, Putin is due to visit a Russian air base in the city of Kant, east of the capital Bishkek, for the 20th anniversary of its opening. 

The ICC warrant was issued over the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.

Kyrgyzstan, which has not ratified the Rome Statute that obligates members to adhere to the ICC's decisions, is hosting Putin's visit.

The visit comes as Armenia, another former Soviet Union country and historically close ally of Moscow, ratified the statute to become a full member of the court, which is widely recognized as a major break in relations with Moscow by Yerevan.