Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Kyrgyzstan's acting President and Prime Minister Kurmanbek Bakiyev on Saturday, the Itar-Tass news agency reported.

"In reply to Bakiyev's request, the readiness was expressed to consider concrete projects aimed at assisting in stabilizing the situation in Kyrgyzstan, taking into account humanitarian considerations and friendly relations between the Russian and Kyrgyz people," Russian Presidential spokesman Alexei Gromov said.

He said the conversation had taken place at Bakiyev's initiative, the report said.

Bakiyev told Kyrgyz senators earlier in the day that he and Putin had discussed concrete questions of Russian assistance to Kyrgyzstan.

It was agreed that Russia would provide fuel, seeds, and low-interest credits to Kyrgyz agricultural producers in connection with the spring sowing season.

Bakiyev, Kyrgyz opposition leader, proclaimed himself as actingpresident and prime minister on Friday.

He said Saturday he would stand as a candidate in the nation's new presidential election set on June 26.

The upper chamber of the Kyrgyz parliament earlier set June 26 for presidential elections to replace the ousted President Askar Akayev.

Source: Xinhua