Saidov avoids commenting on scandalous video in meeting with Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed preparations for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit with his Uzbek counterpart Bakhtiyor Saidov. The SCO summit will be held in China on August 31–September 1, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.

“The parties exchanged views on current issues in the development of Russian–Uzbek relations, the international agenda, and regional security ahead of the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting in China and the second Russia–Central Asia summit to be held in Tajikistan on October 9,” the ministry’s statement said.

Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership and allied relations between Russia and Uzbekistan, in line with agreements reached by the leaders of the two countries.

Saidov wrote on his Telegram channel that the talks focused on the current state and future prospects of bilateral relations, as well as preparations for upcoming multilateral events.

“We paid special attention to expanding cooperation in the trade, investment, cultural, and humanitarian spheres, as well as deepening collaboration within regional and international organizations,” Saidov wrote.

However, it appears that the ministers did not address ongoing tensions surrounding migration issues, particularly the mistreatment of Uzbek labor migrants, their children, and other Uzbek citizens temporarily residing in Russia.

Since the beginning of this week, a video circulating online featuring repeated insults, including “you are a slave of the Russians,” and explicitly identifying the targeted worker as an Uzbek has sparked outrage. The video, which mentions Uzbekistan twice, has attracted wide coverage in neighboring countries and international media, including German, Turkish, and British outlets. Despite the public outcry, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refrained from commenting, saying it has not confirmed whether the victim is a citizen of Uzbekistan.