Lavrov briefs Uzbek leadership on US-Russia dialogue and Ukraine crisis

During his official visit to Uzbekistan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov provided detailed updates to the country's leadership regarding Russia's dialogue with the United States on resolving the Ukraine crisis. Lavrov made these remarks at a press conference on April 23 following talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov in Samarkand.

“We are sharing with our Uzbek friends comprehensive information on the latest developments [in resolving the Ukraine crisis], including in the context of our interactions with the United States and the proposals the US has recently put forward in coordination with Ukrainians and Europeans,” Lavrov stated.

The Russian Foreign Minister emphasized that addressing the root causes of the conflict remains essential for any meaningful progress in resolving the situation around Ukraine.

Lavrov also addressed concerns regarding US trade tariffs and their potential impact on Russia-Uzbekistan economic ties. He downplayed any risk, clarifying that current bilateral trade relations between the two countries remain unaffected.

“I believe this situation does not affect trade relations between Uzbekistan and the United States. What does Russia have to do with it? Russia and Uzbekistan trade on the basis of bilateral agreements. US goods do not reach Uzbekistan through us, nor do Uzbek goods go to the US through us. I see no threat to the development of Russian-Uzbek trade in this context,” he said.

It should be recalled that Sergei Lavrov arrived in Uzbekistan on April 22. He was welcomed at Samarkand International Airport by his Uzbek counterpart, Bakhtiyor Saidov. On April 23, Lavrov held official meetings with Saidov and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.