Uzbekistan, “casting its rope far” — Weekend 

This week, on June 27, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, attending the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) summit as the leader of an observer state, was once again urged to join the union as a full-fledged member.

Meanwhile, having drawn lessons from its 12-day war with Israel, Iran appears to be turning toward China—rather than Russia—for military partnership and support.

Within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), it is India—strategically positioning itself between China and Pakistan—that is increasingly disrupting the process of regional integration.

And in recent days, questions have resurfaced about Donald Trump—who leads the United States more through his social media presence than the White House—possibly reviving his controversial plans for Gaza.

Here is QALAMPIR.UZ’s Weekend program, presenting a detailed look at these and other global developments from the past week.

Mirziyoyev attends EAEU summit in Minsk

On June 27, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the latest meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, held in Minsk, Belarus, as the head of an observer state within the EAEU. The meeting, chaired by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, was attended by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, President Vladimir Putin of Russia, and President Miguel Díaz-Canel of Cuba, also in observer status. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sent a video message due to ongoing domestic circumstances. Notable guests included Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khalid Al Nahyan, Mongolia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Nam-Osorin Uchral, and CIS Secretary-General Sergey Lebedev. During the meeting, President Mirziyoyev briefed attendees on the dynamic growth of Uzbekistan’s cooperation with the EAEU. He highlighted that during Uzbekistan’s observer status, the country’s foreign trade turnover with EAEU member states grew by 80 percent, reaching \$18 billion by the end of last year. He also noted Uzbekistan’s interest in engaging with the EAEU’s trade facilitation tools—such as the digital system for technical regulation, the digital transport corridors ecosystem, and the Eurasian Reinsurance Company. Additionally, Uzbekistan expressed its readiness to join the integrated “Labor Without Borders” platform developed by the union.

However, it was once again Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko who called on Uzbekistan to become a full member of the EAEU. Often seen as President Putin’s informal spokesperson to the outside world, Lukashenko emphasized that Uzbekistan would always be welcomed as a “friend and close ally.”

“You are a dear friend of the EAEU. We always look forward to seeing you as a full member of our union. We would be happy to have you,” Lukashenko told President Mirziyoyev.

This is not the first time Lukashenko has extended such an invitation. Over the years, he has repeatedly called on Uzbekistan to move beyond observer status and join the EAEU as a full member. Uzbekistan has held observer status in the organization for five years—since 2020—and has continued to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of full membership.

The EAEU, established in 2014, is an international organization for regional economic integration with legal personality. It ensures the free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor, and facilitates a coordinated or unified policy in key economic sectors. Its full members currently include Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. Uzbekistan, Iran, and Cuba hold observer status, while the UAE and China are major external partners.

Despite its observer status, Uzbekistan has actively participated as a full player in various regional and international integration formats, such as the Organization of Turkic States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Economic Cooperation Organization. It is widely recognized as a central integrator in Central Asia, consistently acting as a mediator in economic projects and border disputes. This pattern of proactive diplomacy suggests that Uzbekistan’s prolonged observer status in the EAEU is likely not due to hesitation on its own part—but rather to unresolved issues or shortcomings within the organization itself.

Iran to buy fighter jets from China instead of Russia

In January of this year, Iran and Russia signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement. This pact spans various sectors, including defense, counterterrorism, energy, finance, transport, industry, agriculture, culture, science, and technology. Comprising 47 articles, the agreement outlines a broad framework for cooperation, including delegation exchanges, the entry of warships into ports, and military training programs. Due to its defense provisions, many have drawn parallels between Russia’s passive stance during the Iran-Israel conflict and its perceived betrayals in Iraq, Syria, and Libya. However, the defense clauses of the agreement, signed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin, specify that “if one of the parties is attacked, the other party shall not provide any military or other assistance to the aggressor.” In this case, Russia's decision not to aid Israel is technically in compliance with the agreement.

Nonetheless, when Israeli and U.S. aggression against Iran intensified, the Kremlin limited its response to issuing condemnatory statements. It offered no tangible support to Iran, despite Tehran having supplied Russia with a large number of Shahed drones during the war in Ukraine. Even Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who traveled to Russia during the conflict, was reportedly told only that “Russia is trying to help.” By contrast, there are now unconfirmed reports that China may have already provided Iran with military assistance. While official confirmation is lacking, radar images showing planes entering Iranian airspace—which had been closed during the war—have been circulated globally, sparking speculation.

Although the 12-day war is now over, Iran has drawn crucial lessons from it—particularly the need to modernize its air defense systems. Reports indicate that Tehran is considering replacing its ineffective Russian defense systems with Chinese alternatives. The war, which began on June 13 with Israeli airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, exposed the vulnerabilities of Iran's air defenses. Israeli F-35 and F-15 jets were able to operate over Tehran with near impunity, destroying Russian-made S-300 air defense systems and radar installations. In light of these failures, "Khorasan" reports that Iran has renewed interest in acquiring Chengdu J-10C multi-role fighter jets from China to rapidly modernize its air force. The J-10C is a single-engine, multi-role fighter marketed as a cost-effective alternative to Western models like the F-16V and Gripen E. Each aircraft costs over \$60 million, and the full package—including spare parts, weapons, warranties, and pilot training—could raise the total cost to around \$90 million per unit.

According to the publication, Iran has been interested in the J-10C for nearly two decades. A deal to acquire 150 jets was in negotiation in 2015 but stalled due to payment issues. Beijing demanded payment in foreign currency, while Tehran, suffering from a currency shortage, proposed a barter arrangement using oil and gas. Additionally, the UN arms embargo on Iran at the time further complicated the deal. Although the embargo was lifted in 2020 and negotiations resumed, the number of jets under consideration was reduced to 36. Yet, once again, payment terms became a sticking point.

According to the 2025 "Military Balance" report, prior to the war with Israel, Iran had around 150 fighter jets in service. Most were outdated models purchased from the United States before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. These include 18 MiG-29A/UB fighters delivered in the late 1980s and early 1990s, many of which are now inoperable due to maintenance issues and lack of spare parts. Iran’s most recent foreign acquisition was a batch of four Russian Su-35s purchased in 2023, with a total order of 50 jets—each costing over \$100 million. However, due to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and growing logistical constraints, the timely delivery of these aircraft remains uncertain.

India shaking up the SCO

India is asserting itself within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a bloc that has seen steady development and was even viewed as a potential “rival” to the European Union in recent years. Tensions between India and Pakistan, as well as the recently concluded Iran-Israel war, have intensified friction within the organization. Most notably, India refused to join a joint statement condemning Israel's attack on Iran—signaling its divergence from the consensus among SCO member states. Then, on June 26, the defense ministers of SCO countries failed to issue a joint statement at the conclusion of their meeting in Qingdao, China. The reason: Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh declined to sign the final document, citing the omission of the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. According to "The Indian Express", Singh criticized the statement for lacking a unified and firm approach to terrorism.

What is the problem? India and Pakistan have long accused each other of sponsoring unrest or terrorism in various regions. Pakistan frequently claims that India supports separatist groups in Balochistan, while India accuses Pakistan of orchestrating destabilizing actions in Kashmir. In this instance, the SCO statement reportedly referenced Balochistan but failed to mention the April attack in Kashmir—prompting Singh to argue that the declaration effectively aligned with Pakistan’s narrative. As a result, he refused to endorse the document. This incident reinforces long-standing doubts about the SCO’s ability to reconcile deeply rooted rivalries among its members. The organization's unity has always been questioned, particularly due to the presence of countries that are geopolitical adversaries. While the SCO had previously functioned smoothly, global-scale conflicts have now brought underlying tensions to the surface.

Additionally, China—traditionally aligned with Pakistan in regional disputes—has openly backed Islamabad within the SCO. According to "The Indian Express", Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif even acknowledged on the eve of the summit that Beijing and Islamabad are cooperating on intelligence activities against India. In this tense environment, Rajnath Singh used the summit to remind his Chinese counterpart of the ongoing territorial disputes between the two nations, emphasizing the importance of long-term peace along the border. However, Singh admitted that India’s level of mutual trust with both China and Pakistan remains low.

Trump becomes a “media President”

In the United States, it has become routine for Donald Trump to take to his Truth Social platform to deny reports and attack the media whenever a publication releases a story about U.S. foreign policy or the president himself. Trump regularly finds time to respond to nearly every news item—either via social media or during press conferences. This trend, which began during the Iran-Israel war, continues unabated. Mainstream American outlets such as CNN, "The New York Times", and ABC News have become frequent targets of Trump’s criticism. Observers note that he now appears more active on social media than in actual foreign or domestic policy. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva publicly appealed to Donald Trump, urging him to “spend less time on the Internet and focus more on governing.”

“In this turbulent world, the leader of a powerful country like the United States should think before he speaks. He should behave more like a head of state, less like an internet user, and focus on free trade, multilateralism, and peace. But what do we see in the press every day? These damn headlines,” Lula said.

This is not the first time Lula da Silva has criticized Trump. During a visit to Russia in May, he spoke out against U.S. tariffs and voiced support for strengthening cooperation with Moscow. He also condemned Trump’s earlier statements on the Gaza conflict in February, remarking, “Trump was elected to lead the United States, not the world.” This latest criticism, however, is more personal. Advice typically given by parents to teenagers—to reduce screen time—now seems to apply to the leader of the most powerful country in the world. Yet, Lula’s remarks resonate with many. The global perception is clear: Trump has increasingly become a “media president,” appearing to govern more from the Truth Social platform than from the White House itself.

Gaza may be handed over, ceasefire possible

Israeli media reports suggest that Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have agreed to end military operations in the Gaza Strip—a region where, by any measure, ongoing actions amount to massacres, genocide, and unprecedented crimes against humanity. According to these reports, a halt in operations could occur within the next two weeks. "Israel Hayom" reported that the discussions were held behind closed doors and mark a new phase of military-political coordination between Israel and the United States. While no official confirmation has been issued, Israeli sources suggest that both parties have agreed to end hostilities in Gaza within 14 days. The report also states that after military operations cease, Gaza's administration could be handed over to four Arab states. Thus far, only two candidates have been named: the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. Trump has not elaborated on the future governance of Gaza, but he has indicated that the war there could end soon—possibly even sooner than the reported two-week window. Speaking to the press, Trump said:

“A lot of people are asking, and I think it’s very close. I just spoke to some of the people involved in this process. What’s happening in Gaza is terrible. We think we’re going to get a ceasefire in the next week. We’re putting a lot of money and a lot of food into the area, as you know, because we have to. In theory, we’re not going to interfere, but in practice, we are—because people are dying.”