Lyn Frans
In a press conference following his state visit to Uzbekistan on May 28, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a range of topics, including the state of Russia’s relations with Uzbekistan and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
On the Russia–Uzbekistan relationship, Putin noted that the delegation accompanying him included “nearly half of the Russian Government members, all the key ministers,” indicating the high-level nature of the discussions. He stated that the economies of the two countries are aligning and developing, with numerous joint projects emerging. Putin said Russia and Uzbekistan would “gradually chart our mutual interests in the sphere of subsequent cooperation and involvement in integration associations.”
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Addressing the geopolitical tensions in Central Asia, Putin claimed that the region has faced “pressure from the US,” but asserted that he has not seen countries in the region “kneeling ready to blindly obey any edicts from across the ocean.” He acknowledged that the US and Europe have taken steps to “deal damage” to Russia’s regional partners, but maintained that it remains the “sovereign choice of any country” how to respond to such pressure.
On the situation in Ukraine, Putin acknowledged the presence of foreign mercenaries fighting alongside Ukrainian forces, stating that “we hear English, French, or Polish on the radio” and that “we know that these mercenaries are there.” However, he claimed that there are also “specialists there under the guise of mercenaries.”
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Regarding the stalled peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, Putin asserted that it was not Russia that walked away from the negotiations, but rather that “we were told: that’s it, we will no longer have talks with you.” He claimed that the Ukrainians were “ordered to throw it into a rubbish can and try to beat Russia on the battlefield, to inflict strategic defeat on it.” Putin reiterated Russia’s willingness to continue the negotiating process, but expressed uncertainty about the “legitimacy of Ukrainian representatives” at future stages of the talks.
The Russian president’s comments underscored Moscow’s continued focus on strengthening ties with Central Asian nations like Uzbekistan, while also defending Russia’s position in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
