Description of Mirzamakhmudov
Zhorabek Mirzamakhmudov, Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, stated that signing a gas agreement with Russia would not imply forming any alliance. The remarks were reported by gazeta.uz.
He explained that Russia and Uzbekistan are discussing delivering Russian gas through neighboring Kazakhstan, but the agreement would be purely technical. He emphasized that Tashkent acts in line with its national interests.
“To meet domestic demand, ensure consumption, and address shortages, we are negotiating today to import gas and electricity from neighboring nations, not to join an alliance or union. We pursue cooperation on a commercial basis, through purchase and sale, without ceding control of our energy networks,” he stated.
Mirzamakhmudov added that Uzbek officials would protect national interests, the economy, and independence, and would not accept political terms in exchange for gas.
According to him, Uzbekistan will purchase gas from Russia at a reasonable price within a contractual framework. “Uzbekistan does not share a border with Russia. Negotiations will therefore cover delivery via Kazakhstan. It will be a technical contract,” he noted.
“Endpoint not determined”
Igor Ananskikh, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Energy Committee, suggested that Uzbekistan’s position could still change. He spoke during a meeting with socialbites.ca.
“Uzbekistan will again weigh Russia’s offer carefully. The two countries may revisit the project in the near future. The endpoint remains undecided. The parliamentarian noted that Uzbekistan could return to the gas union issue in 2023.
The key factor in deciding the gas union, he argued, should be the economy. “The world is shifting. The main driver now is economic conditions and the people’s living standards. If Uzbekistan rejects the tripartite gas union, Russia could pursue a bilateral arrangement with Kazakhstan. Why not?” the deputy proposed.
Ananskikh added that Russia seeks to sell gas to as many markets as possible and is exploring multiple options for what he called “gas deployments.”
“Currently, China and India are the largest buyers of Russian gas. Uzbekistan could become a transit corridor. Ukraine, once a transit state, benefited from sizable gas flows through its territory,” remarked the deputy chairman of the Duma committee.
Kazakhstan shifted its stance
On December 7, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vasilenko said Astana does not support sanctions as a tool for solving international problems but adheres to the restriction regime.
“Details of any gas union agreement with Russia remain preliminary. Kazakhstan’s principled position is to avoid allowing its territory to be used to bypass sanctions. These positions have not changed and will guide any new ventures,” he said.
Vasilenko noted that a government commission was formed to study potential risks amid anti-Russian sanctions.
Previously, on November 28, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, proposed a tripartite gas union involving Russia and Uzbekistan.
“President Putin suggested forming a triple alliance and will discuss the matter with the Uzbek President. We should examine this issue,” Tokayev said. “In principle, we are open to it. Why not?”
On November 29, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated a gas coordination mechanism would be needed to harmonize supplies. The project reportedly includes a mechanism to coordinate gas flows and to develop infrastructure for domestic and international markets. Peskov described the proposal as a possible first step toward a formal arrangement, with a view to a future legal entity that would govern cooperation and infrastructure expansion.
Throttle position
Reuters reported that Uzbekistan faced fuel shortages amid severe winter cold, forcing a reduction of gas exports to China by six million cubic meters. Officials moved to intensify talks with other nations to secure additional natural gas, electricity, coal, and fuel supplies. A ban on exporting liquefied gas by private operators remained in place.
Government agencies also prohibited the use of liquefied gas powered vehicles through March 1, 2023. Gas production for January through September declined by 1.6 percent year over year, reaching 38.85 billion cubic meters. Local authorities warned of shortages up to 20 million cubic meters per day during peak winter demand.
The regional gas network includes two Central Asia–Central Russia pipelines that pass through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, a legacy from the Soviet era. The Bukhara–Ural line also runs from Russia to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan, spanning more than 4,500 kilometers.
In 2020, Gazprom and KazTransGas formed a working group to explore a proposed 2.3 billion cubic meter annual gas pipeline project from Barnaul, Russia, to Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Bolat Akçulakov warned in April 2022 that shortages could persist through 2025 as consumption rose from 13.8 to 18.6 billion cubic meters between 2017 and 2021, with an annual growth rate near 7 percent.