RUSSIFICATION CREATES MIGRATION
The Russian response is remarkably mild, though no promises made.
Jun 12, 2025
EUROASIAN NEWS
Over a million Uzbek citizens work and live in Russia.
(Photo: Mos.ru)
Uzbek diplomats have rebuked Russian officials over what Tashkent sees as the continuing “rude treatment of Uzbek citizens” in Russia and are demanding changes.
In an unusually direct statement posted on Telegram following a regular bilateral diplomatic meeting, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry said Russia’s harsh policies towards Uzbek nationals, and by implication citizens from other Central Asian states, was “absolutely incompatible with friendly relations between our countries and that specific measures are needed to prevent them.”
The harassment of Central Asian nationals, in particular labor migrants, by Russian law-enforcement authorities and others has intensified over the past year, following the Crocus City Hall terrorism tragedy carried out by Tajik militants.
“The Republic of Uzbekistan considers the protection of the rights and interests of its citizens living and temporarily staying abroad to be its priority,” the statement said, adding that Tashkent will keep “this issue under constant control and will continue to take additional measures if necessary.”
Russia has a long track record of denial and deflection in the face of diplomatic pressure, but the Russian Foreign Ministry’s response to the Uzbek complaint was comparatively conciliatory. Instead of counter-punching, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova tried to de-escalate. Re-emphasizing that bilateral relations remain “strong,” she said Uzbek complaints would receive careful consideration, without, of course, making any commitments to take remedial action.
“I would like to note that we have direct channels of communication through law enforcement and other services,” Zakharova stated. “As is customary between allies, the conversation is frank and any signal is carefully considered.”
Part of Tashkent’s dissatisfaction may be linked to Russian efforts to recruit Uzbek and other Central Asian nationals to fight in Ukraine. Uzbekistan has sought to discourage the practice by handing out prison terms to returnees who saw action in Ukraine on the Russian side. A June 10 report published by Gazeta.uz said that an Uzbek national recently received a five-year term for joining the “WagnerGroup,” a mercenary force that was subjugated by the Kremlin following an abortive putsch almost two years ago.
Uzbek diplomats have rebuked Russian officials over what Tashkent sees as the continuing “rude treatment of Uzbek citizens” in Russia and are demanding changes.
In an unusually direct statement posted on Telegram following a regular bilateral diplomatic meeting, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry said Russia’s harsh policies towards Uzbek nationals, and by implication citizens from other Central Asian states, was “absolutely incompatible with friendly relations between our countries and that specific measures are needed to prevent them.”
The harassment of Central Asian nationals, in particular labor migrants, by Russian law-enforcement authorities and others has intensified over the past year, following the Crocus City Hall terrorism tragedy carried out by Tajik militants.
“The Republic of Uzbekistan considers the protection of the rights and interests of its citizens living and temporarily staying abroad to be its priority,” the statement said, adding that Tashkent will keep “this issue under constant control and will continue to take additional measures if necessary.”
Russia has a long track record of denial and deflection in the face of diplomatic pressure, but the Russian Foreign Ministry’s response to the Uzbek complaint was comparatively conciliatory. Instead of counter-punching, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova tried to de-escalate. Re-emphasizing that bilateral relations remain “strong,” she said Uzbek complaints would receive careful consideration, without, of course, making any commitments to take remedial action.
“I would like to note that we have direct channels of communication through law enforcement and other services,” Zakharova stated. “As is customary between allies, the conversation is frank and any signal is carefully considered.”
Part of Tashkent’s dissatisfaction may be linked to Russian efforts to recruit Uzbek and other Central Asian nationals to fight in Ukraine. Uzbekistan has sought to discourage the practice by handing out prison terms to returnees who saw action in Ukraine on the Russian side. A June 10 report published by Gazeta.uz said that an Uzbek national recently received a five-year term for joining the “WagnerGroup,” a mercenary force that was subjugated by the Kremlin following an abortive putsch almost two years ago.
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