Russia is ready to cooperate with Turkmenistan in the space sector, including the possible training of a Turkmen cosmonaut for space flight, according to Russian Ambassador to Ashgabat Ivan Volynkin.

"Our bilateral cooperation in space has significant prospects. We are ready to collaborate in the production and launch of satellites, navigation technologies, and various scientific research and developments. Moreover, I believe that if Turkmenistan were interested, Russia could also prepare a Turkmen cosmonaut for space flight," he said at a flower-laying ceremony at the bust of Yuri Gagarin at the Russian House in Ashgabat.

The ambassador also mentioned Hero of Russia and Turkmenistan and cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko. "Among the space explorers of our time who have immortalized their names, a special place is occupied by Chardzhou native Oleg Kononenko, Hero of Russia and Turkmenistan, and head of the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. His sixth flight is scheduled for this coming fall. As you know, during his previous expedition, Oleg Dmitrievich set a record for the longest total time spent in orbit—over 1110 days," the ambassador said.