“Respect is not earned by asking for it”: Kadyrov responds to Lavrov’s statement

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who is currently visiting Uzbekistan, voiced dissatisfaction over the lack of Russian translation during a flower-laying ceremony at the Mother of Mourning monument in Samarkand. His remarks have drawn a strong response from Alisher Kadyrov, a deputy of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and leader of the "Milliy Tiklanish" Democratic Party.

“Russian politicians are doing everything they can to deteriorate attitudes toward Russian culture and language in Uzbekistan,” Kadyrov stated.

He emphasized that young people in Uzbekistan are actively learning English, German, Turkish, and Arabic, despite not being pressured or reminded to do so.

“Minister Lavrov surely understands that demanding respect and artificially creating a need for something will only produce the opposite effect,” said Kadyrov.

Lavrov arrived in Uzbekistan on April 22, where he was received at Samarkand International Airport by Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov. On April 23, he held talks with Saidov and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

During his visit, Lavrov mentioned that he briefed the Uzbek leadership on Russia’s dialogue with the U.S. regarding the Ukraine crisis, and added that Central Asian labor migrants, including those from Uzbekistan, should have knowledge of the Russian language and Russian laws when working in Russia.