Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Several media outlets have published an interview with President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, conducted by a Russian journalist. In this conversation, issues regarding Western countries’ stance on Russia and its impact on Kyrgyzstan were discussed.

The head of state commented on this topic to the Kabar news agency.

- Recently, journalist Pavel Zarubin from the "Russia-1" TV channel released your interview, which was shared by several media outlets. The discussion was about your view that Western countries should not dictate to Kyrgyzstan whether to cooperate with Russia and CIS countries. Could you elaborate on this? Have there been requests to stop cooperation with Russia or the CIS? Is it possible to cease collaboration with these countries?

- At the forum in Ashgabat, Russian journalists unexpectedly asked me a similar question. I was not prepared, but I tried to give a clear answer. Since you are asking, I will provide a more detailed response.

Since the beginning of the war between Russia and Ukraine, Western countries have continued to condemn Russia. Undoubtedly, some Western countries have asked us to stop cooperating with Russia. However, I always respond openly and sincerely: "We cannot stop cooperating with Russia. Our trade turnover with Russia exceeds US$4 billion. We purchase oil, gas, wheat, and other food products from Russia. Geographically, we are a landlocked country. Our road and rail connections to the world pass through Russia. Around one million of our migrants live in Russia. How can we not cooperate with Russia?

Moreover, you yourselves, some EU countries, despite the sanctions, continue to work with Russia. Your trade turnover with Russia reaches US$6 billion annually. When it suits you, you cooperate with Russia, but you tell us not to. This is an unfair demand," I respond directly. Since I came to power four years ago, we have pursued a multi-vector foreign policy.

We cooperate equally and on an equal footing with various countries of the world based on mutual interests. Moreover, we recently signed a cooperation agreement with the European Union and also collaborate with all other CIS countries.

Trade turnover with some CIS countries has increased sevenfold in the last four years. Geographically, we are also close to the CIS countries. One could say that our daily affairs are closely intertwined with them. On certain issues, we depend on each other, so ceasing cooperation with them is impossible.

- Are the requests to stop cooperating with Russia related to the sanctions imposed against it, or is there suspicion that Kyrgyzstan is helping bypass the sanctions?

- Of course, as a UN member, we do not work with sanctioned goods subject to restrictions against Russia. Therefore, no claims can be made against us on this issue.

There is no doubt, nor can there be. This is likely just hatred toward Russia.