Stable communication: Putin and Japarov discussed the economy in the Kremlin

Economic relations between Russia and Kyrgyzstan are steadily developing, Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with the republic's leader Sadyr Japarov in the Kremlin. In the first four months of this year, the trade turnover between the two countries increased by more than 17%, the Russian president said. The parties are also actively cooperating in the humanitarian field: for example, there are plans to increase the number of Russian schools in the republic. Despite the tightening of legislation, Russia remains the main destination for labor migration of Kyrgyz citizens, experts interviewed by Izvestia say. Which areas of cooperation are the most promising for Moscow and Bishkek today can be found in the Izvestia article.

The meeting between Putin and Japarov

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kyrgyz leader Sadyr Japarov held talks in the Kremlin. Economic, humanitarian and educational issues were on the agenda of the meeting.

— Our development here is good and stable. Last year, the trade turnover grew by more than 11 percent, and this year, in the first four months, it added more than 17 percent. So here we can state that we are achieving the results we need," said the head of the Russian Federation.

A large number of Russian enterprises operate in Kyrgyzstan. The Russian Federation is one of the republic's leading trade and economic partners, and this is supported by our plans for the future, the Russian leader added.

Indeed, about 700 enterprises with Russian participation operate in Kyrgyzstan. In the first half of the year, the volume of investments from the Russian Federation to the republic amounted to more than $100 million, which is about a quarter of the total, the Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to the Russian Federation Kubanychbek Bokontaev reported earlier.

The trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and Russia is consistently approaching $5 billion a year, Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev said earlier. In 2024, it exceeded $3.7 billion, and the share of national currencies in mutual settlements reached 98%. Russia supplies Kyrgyzstan with raw materials, machinery, metals, foodstuffs, and fuel. Kyrgyzstan to Russia — copper, cotton, textiles.

In particular, Western sanctions have influenced the strengthening of cooperation in recent years, Igor Shestakov, director of the Oh Ordo Center for Expert Initiatives, tells Izvestia.

— The Republic of Kyrgyzstan has received dividends from the sanctions policy of the West, because especially our garment industry has been actively working and has begun to replace European brands that left Russia, — said the expert.

Now there is complete mutual understanding and trust between the parties, there are no political differences and contradictions, Sadyr Japarov stressed at the beginning of the negotiations.

Moscow and Bishkek have also recently been paying due attention to cooperation in the field of education. There are 200 teachers from Russia working in Kyrgyz schools, Vladimir Putin recalled. Russia and Kyrgyzstan signed an agreement on the construction of Russian-language schools in the republic back in 2023. Moscow is building nine educational institutions in the republic. One school will be in Bishkek, the second in Osh, as well as in all seven regions of the country.

— I would like to note and thank you for the fact that the Russian language has been given a special status in Kyrgyzstan. This allows us to work more efficiently in a number of other areas, including in the economic sphere," Vladimir Putin stressed.

Prospects of cooperation between Russia and Kyrgyzstan

One of the most promising areas for cooperation between Moscow and Bishkek is gas and energy. For example, Russia's Gazprom is modernizing the republic's gas transmission and distribution networks. For example, as of May 2025, the gasification level reached 42%, and gas was carried out in 54 settlements.

Rosatom is also implementing important projects in the republic. In 2022, the parties signed a memorandum on the construction of a low-power nuclear power plant on its territory based on the RITM-200N reactor plant. Sites for the construction of nuclear power plants are currently being studied.

In May 2024, Russia's Unigreen Energy began construction of a power plant in the Issyk-Kul region.

Of course, the topic of migration occupies a special place in relations with the countries of Central Asia. Despite the tightening of legislation in this area, there are no problems or complaints. Earlier, the press service of the republic's foreign ministry reported that migrants from Kyrgyzstan will be given the opportunity to legalize their stay in Russia until September 10, 2025.

— Of course, there has been a decrease [in the flow], but according to the results of sociological research, most of our citizens still call the Russian Federation the main country of labor migration, — said Igor Shestakov.

Moscow and Bishkek are also linked by cooperation in the international arena — on the platforms of the CIS, the CSTO, the SCO and the EAEU.

By the way, Kyrgyzstan will host the Collective Security Treaty Organization summit in the fall of 2025. Sadyr Japarov previously noted that the republic consistently adheres to the line of strengthening the organization's structure and enhancing its role in ensuring peace. And, of course, the Russian leader is expected at the CSTO meeting.

"We look forward to your visit to the Kyrgyz Republic as part of your participation in the session of the CSTO Collective Security Council in November 2025," the Kyrgyz leader stressed.

It is important to recall that in May 2025, Moscow and Bishkek signed a program of strategic partnership in the military field for 2026-2030. The Republic has already received Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems. The supply of air defense systems to Bishkek was agreed back in 2021, just during Sadyr Japarov's visit to Russia.