President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks in Moscow on May 8, focusing on expanding bilateral strategic partnership, economic cooperation and regional coordination.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of events marking the 81st anniversary of Victory Day.
At the beginning of the talks, the two leaders congratulated each other on the occasion of the commemorative events and discussed the implementation of agreements reached during previous high-level meetings.
Particular attention was given to strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance relations between Uzbekistan and Russia.
The leaders welcomed the continued growth in bilateral trade and highlighted ongoing cooperation projects in sectors including industry, energy and metallurgy.
They also stressed the importance of coordinated measures aimed at maintaining trade growth momentum, accelerating cooperation projects in priority industries and continuing active engagement between regional administrations.
The sides additionally discussed expanding cultural and humanitarian exchanges between the two countries.
Mirziyoyev and Putin also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
On May 9, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also held talks with Putin in Moscow, where the leaders discussed preparations for the Russian president’s upcoming state visit to Kazakhstan and broader regional cooperation.
Tokayev said bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and Russia is expected to exceed $30bn this year, while Russia ranked first in tourist arrivals to Kazakhstan in 2025.
Following the meetings, Mirziyoyev and Tokayev joined other foreign leaders at official events in Moscow dedicated to the 81st anniversary of victory in World War II, including the Victory Day parade held at Red Square.
The commemorative events were also attended by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith, Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Following the parade, Mirziyoyev joined Putin and other leaders in laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow’s Alexander Garden during a ceremony commemorating soldiers who died in World War II.
Uzbekistan highlighted its historical contribution to the war effort, noting that nearly 2mn Uzbeks were mobilised to the front during the war years from a population of just over 6mn at the time.
According to official figures, more than 538,000 Uzbek citizens were killed in combat and over 158,000 went missing during the war. More than 214,000 Uzbek soldiers and officers received military orders and medals, while 301 were awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union.
Authorities also noted that Uzbekistan became a major rear supply base during the war, hosting more than 170 evacuated enterprises and sheltering over 1.5mn evacuees, including more than 250,000 orphaned children.
