BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, October 16. Kyrgyzstan cannot abandon its cooperation with Russia, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov told the media, Trend reports.
"Since the onset of the war between Russia and Ukraine, Western countries have continued to condemn Russia. Certainly, some Western nations are urging us not to cooperate with Russia. However, I always respond openly and sincerely: 'We cannot abandon cooperation with Russia. Our trade turnover with Russia exceeds $4 billion. We buy 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. There are about a million of our migrants in Russia. How can we not cooperate with Russia? Your trade turnover with Russia reaches $6 billion a year. When you need it, you cooperate with Russia without hesitation, yet tell us not to cooperate. This is an unfair demand,'” Zhaparov stated.
The President noted that Kyrgyzstan engages with various countries around the world on an equal footing and based on mutual interests, exemplified by a recent cooperation agreement signed with the EU.
"Trade turnover with some CIS countries has increased sevenfold over the past four years. Geographically, we are also close to CIS countries. Our daily affairs are intertwined with them. In some matters, we are dependent on each other, so it is impossible to abandon cooperation with them," he said.
He also noted that, as a member of the UN, Kyrgyzstan refrains from dealing in sanctioned goods subject to restrictions against Russia, and there are no suspicions regarding this matter.