Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Kazakhstan today, while Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi are expected in Uzbekistan, amid renewed diplomatic interest in the region.

According to AFP, a summit of the Economic Cooperation Organisation will be held in Uzbekistan’s capital Tashkent. The city will host the Iranian and Turkish presidents, as well as Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and Central Asian leaders.

The escalation between Israel and Hamas is not on the agenda, Uzbekistan said.

Tehran said it did want to discuss the conflict, state-run agency IRNA said. Raisi already discussed the conflict during a meeting with Tajik leader Emomali Rahmon on Wednesday.

And Erdogan — who hardened his tone against both Israel and its Western supporters — is likely to bring the issue to the table. Most of the talks are expected to focus on trade, humanitarian cooperation and transport.

Central Asian countries, which are landlocked, are trying to gain access to the sea including via Pakistan. Russia is under pressure in the region but it remains a key partner.