Russia and Uzbekistan Strengthen Defense Ties With Strategic Partnership Plan Through 2030

Russia and Uzbekistan have agreed on a military strategic partnership program extending through 2030, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry announced January 22 on social media.

The agreement was signed by Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and Uzbek Defense Minister Shukhrat Kholmukhamedov during Belousov’s visit to Tashkent.

The program includes 50 joint military activities planned for 2025, with broader strategic initiatives set for 2026 to 2030, the ministry stated.

Despite maintaining close ties with Russia, Uzbekistan has maintained a neutral stance in light of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. The Uzbek government has also cautioned its citizens against participating in the war as mercenaries, warning of possible criminal prosecution.

While Uzbekistan remains within Russia’s economic sphere, it has chosen not to join Russia-led organizations such as the Eurasian Economic Union or the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

The new agreement builds on a 2017 defense cooperation treaty between the two countries, which does indeed include provisions for arms supplies, maintenance, military assistance, and joint research and development.

On January 5, an Uzbek court sentenced a 39-year-old man to four years and two months of house arrest for joining Russia’s war against Ukraine. The sentence factored in his voluntary surrender and cooperation with authorities.