Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed on Saturday the commencement of gas deliveries to Uzbekistan through Kazakhstan, providing a much-needed lift to Russia’s industry, which has been heavily affected by a series of Western sanctions due to the Ukraine conflict.
Uzbekistan, situated in Central Asia and blessed with abundant natural resources like natural gas, has encountered energy shortages, despite these valuable assets.
On the other hand, Moscow’s heavy reliance on energy revenues has been met with a sharp decline in exports since the offensive began.
‘This is the largest trilateral energy project’ between the three ex-Soviet countries, Putin said, after formally launching the shipment.
He presided over a meeting in Moscow alongside his counterparts from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
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‘The timely implementation of such… project shows that Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan are capable of tackling the most complex and ambitious tasks,’ Putin said.
‘Kazakhstan will be able to solve the issue of gasification of its northern and eastern regions’ while Uzbekistan will ‘gain another source of energy’.
Furthermore, Putin noted that the afternoon session would be dedicated to discussing extended collaboration within the energy sector, as a collective effort by the leaders.
Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, have been unsettled by Russia’s offensive in Ukraine, and Kazakhstan has been proactive in distancing itself from Moscow.
On the other hand, the ex-Soviet countries uphold their deep-seated political and economic affiliations with Russia.
2022 saw a sharp 21.5 percent decrease in Russian gas exports, with the European Union, formerly the primary customer of Russian gas, dramatically scaling back its imports.