Kyrgyzstan, for numerous reasons, including economic ones, cannot sever its ties with the Russian Federation, Sadyr Zhaparov, President of Kyrgyzstan, said in an interview with the state news agency Kabar.
“Since the start of the military operation between Russia and Ukraine, Western countries have continued to condemn Russia. Of course, there are Western countries that have asked us to stop cooperating with Russia. However, I have always responded openly and sincerely: 'We cannot end our cooperation with Russia. Our trade turnover with Russia exceeds $4 billion. We purchase oil, gas, wheat, and other essential goods from Russia,'” he said.
Zhaparov emphasized that around one million Kyrgyz labor migrants are currently working in Russia. “How can we not cooperate with Russia? Moreover, many European Union countries continue to do business with Russia despite the sanctions. Your trade with Russia reaches $6 billion annually. When it suits you, you work with Russia without hesitation, but you ask us to stop. This is an unfair demand,” Japarov stressed.
He also pointed out that Kyrgyzstan is pursuing a multi-vector foreign policy. “We cooperate with various countries around the world on an equal and mutually beneficial basis. Recently, we signed a cooperation agreement with the European Union, and we are also working with other CIS countries,” Zhaparov noted.
The president added that over the past four years, Kyrgyzstan's trade with certain CIS countries has increased sevenfold. “Geographically, we are also close to CIS countries. Our daily affairs are closely intertwined with them. In some areas, we depend on each other, so cutting ties with them is impossible,” he affirmed.
At the same time, Zhaparov stressed that Kyrgyzstan complies with international sanctions against Russia. “As a member of the UN, we do not work with sanctioned goods that are restricted due to the sanctions against Russia. Therefore, no one can raise any claims against us on this matter. There is no suspicion, nor can there be. It seems this is simply hatred towards Russia,” the president concluded.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Federation Council
Based on TASS materials