(KPL/TASS) July 31 - President Vladimir Putin responded enthusiastically to Lao leader Thongloun Sisoulith’s announcement that he plans to gift Russia a pair of elephants in honour of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations. 

The topic came up during talks between Putin and his Lao counterpart. "On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the Lao government and the Lao people would like to present you and the Russian Federation with a pair of elephants. These elephants will be kept at the St. Petersburg Zoo, in the city where I used to study," Thongloun Sisoulith said.

The president noted that the elephants will be transported to Russia in the near future: "The elephant is a symbol of our country, the country of ‘a million elephants,’ a symbol of peace and prosperity."