Russia and Uzbekistan Formalize Military Strategic Partnership Program

Russia and Uzbekistan have instituted a military strategic partnership program lasting until 2030, featuring 50 joint military activities planned for 2025. This program emphasizes Russia’s effort to reinforce ties with its traditional allies amid international isolation, while Uzbekistan maintains a cautious stance on geopolitical alignments.

On Wednesday, Russia and Uzbekistan established a military strategic partnership program, aiming to deepen their relationship amid Russia’s increasing isolation from Western nations. This initiative is set to continue until 2030 and includes 50 unspecified joint military activities planned for 2025, as stated by the Russian Defense Ministry.

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov confirmed the agreement during his recent visit to Tashkent. Despite Uzbekistan’s close ties with Russia, the nation has notably abstained from supporting Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and has cautioned its citizens against participating in mercenary activities linked to the conflict.

While Uzbekistan aligns economically with Russia, it has opted out of joining organizations led by Moscow, such as the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) or the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Prior to this, Russia and Uzbekistan signed a defense cooperation treaty in 2017, which encompasses agreements on arms supplies, military assistance, maintenance, repairs, and collaborative research and development.

In summary, the military strategic partnership between Russia and Uzbekistan, set to extend until 2030, reflects Moscow’s desire to strengthen ties with its traditional allies amidst Western isolation. The agreement includes numerous military collaborations while highlighting Uzbekistan’s careful navigation of its foreign relations, notably its reluctance to support Russian military actions in Ukraine and its decision to abstain from certain Moscow-led alliances.

Original Source: www.themoscowtimes.com