Mr Putin told this in a telephone conversation to the President of Uzbekistan, where the Russian President was to fly that day. President Islam Karimov fully understood Mr Putin’s decision, and expressed heartfelt condolences with the bereaved and solidarity with the Russian nation, which underwent a ruthless attack by international terrorists.
President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan also expressed condolences with President Vladimir Putin and the Russian nation. He said in a telephone conversation that the cruel terrorist attack shocked his nation, and aroused its heartfelt solidarity with Russia and indignation with the atrocious terrorist attack.
Mr Putin also had a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, as he was to go to Kuala Lumpur after the visit to Uzbekistan.
Mr Mahathir Mohamad also fully understood why Mr Putin deemed it impossible to leave his country after the tragedy. He offered his condolences to the Russian nation and the families of those who were killed in the terrorist attack.
Both parties expressed their assurance that joint efforts to further develop and strengthen Russian-Malaysian ties would go on.