Putin Announces Russia's Readiness to Increase Gas Supplies to Uzbekistan

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Russia's readiness to increase gas exports to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan. During negotiations held in Tashkent with his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Russian president noted that Russian gas supplies to Uzbekistan are proceeding at a faster pace than the set schedule. He mentioned that a gas supply agreement between Russia, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan was signed on October 7, 2023. Putin pointed out that "the pace of economic relations development between the two countries is noteworthy," emphasizing that trade between the two nations increased by about 30% during the past year 2023. Uzbekistan experienced an energy crisis at the end of last year, with temperatures dropping to record lows.