Russian President Vladimir Putin sent warm congratulations to Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of Uzbekistan, on Uzbekistan’s Independence Day, a message designed to reinforce friendship and cooperation between the two nations. The telegram highlighted a shared commitment to building constructive bilateral ties across all sectors for the benefit of the people of Russia and Uzbekistan. It underscored the importance of joint efforts to strengthen regional security and stability, recognizing Uzbekistan’s weight on the world stage and its pivotal role in addressing global issues on the international agenda. The message conveyed heartfelt wishes for Mirziyoyev’s health and success, and for the Uzbek people to enjoy peace and prosperity in the years ahead.
In another recent exchange, late August saw a respectful phone conversation in which President Putin extended birthday greetings to Alexander Lukashenko, the President of Belarus. The call reflected ongoing collegial relations among the leaders of the region and the good-neighbor policy shared across their administrations. Separately, public remarks attributed to Putin in earlier years include a light remark about the notion of a supreme government in Russia, a moment that was understood in the broader context of his character and public persona rather than a formal policy statement.