Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 24, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations within the framework of comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance.
Both sides highlighted the continued growth of economic cooperation. Bilateral trade increased by 10% in 2025 to reach $13bn, and has risen by a further 32% since the beginning of 2026, reflecting accelerating economic engagement.
The leaders discussed ongoing large-scale cooperation projects in key sectors, including industry, energy, transport, and other priority areas, with particular attention given to advancing Uzbekistan’s first nuclear power plant project.
They also praised the work of the intergovernmental joint commission on economic cooperation and placed particular emphasis on preparations for the 6th International Industrial Exhibition “INNOPROM Central Asia,” scheduled to take place in Tashkent from April 20 to 22, 2026.
The exhibition is expected to serve as a key platform for launching new industrial cooperation initiatives, strengthening business ties, and promoting investment opportunities between Uzbekistan, Russia, and other international partners.
In addition to bilateral matters, the presidents exchanged views on international developments, including the situations in the Middle East, South Asia, and Ukraine, and discussed upcoming engagements.
Recent agreements between Uzbekistan and Russia have further deepened cooperation in the nuclear energy sector. On the same day, Uzbekistan’s “Uzatom” and Russia’s Rosatom signed a roadmap and updated contract for the construction of a nuclear power plant featuring a combined model of large and small reactors, marking a new phase in the project’s implementation.
The project includes two large VVER-1000 reactors and two small RITM-200N reactors, with total capacity of around 2.1 GW and expected annual generation of approximately 17.2 bn kWh, covering up to 15% of Uzbekistan’s electricity demand.
