On Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin met with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, as Moscow aims to strengthen its regional alliances amid efforts by Central Asian leaders to navigate their relationships with both Russia and the United States.
Japarov welcomed Putin in Bishkek less than two weeks after attending a summit in Washington with U.S. President Donald Trump alongside the other four Central Asian leaders. This meeting also came on the heels of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Moscow, during which Putin confirmed his planned trip to Kazakhstan in 2026.
According to a Kremlin statement, Putin expressed his approval of the stability Kyrgyzstan has maintained under Japarov’s leadership, calling the nation a dependable partner.
Putin emphasized Russia’s economic and security contributions to Kyrgyzstan, noting the growth in bilateral trade, the country’s reliance on Russian energy, and the establishment of a Russian military base there.
Japarov referred to Russia as a “strategic ally, trustworthy partner, and dear friend,” commending Putin for demonstrating “adaptability and resilience in the face of shifting geopolitical dynamics and economic complexities.”
Both leaders acknowledged the increase in Russian investments in Kyrgyzstan. Putin mentioned that around 1,700 Russian firms are currently operating in the nation, while Japarov pointed out that this marks a threefold rise in recent years.
During the discussions, the two parties signed agreements covering trade, energy, and migration.
Putin’s three-day visit, which commenced on Tuesday, marks his second trip to Kyrgyzstan since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. His earlier visit, in October 2023, was notable as it was his first international trip following the International Criminal Court’s issuance of an arrest warrant against him for war crimes related to the alleged deportation of Ukrainian children.
In the wake of the Ukraine invasion, Central Asian nations have been increasingly working to balance their relations with Russia, the United States, and China.
A statement from Kyrgyzstan’s presidential administration indicated that a summit of the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is set for Thursday, coinciding with the final day of Putin’s visit.
