On April 30, discussions between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin took place via telephone to review Russia’s approach to counterterrorism and bilateral security measures. The call was publicly acknowledged by both ministries in Moscow and Dushanbe, highlighting differences in their official readouts while underscoring a shared interest in maintaining stable ties amid evolving security concerns.
From Moscow’s perspective, the Russian Foreign Ministry described the exchange as a chance for ministers to touch on current topics affecting bilateral cooperation. It noted that Russian authorities had outlined the security steps being implemented to curb terrorism, with particular reference to recent incidents that prompted enhanced scrutiny at entry checkpoints. Officials stressed that the heightened checks are temporary and not aimed at any specific nation or religion, and that normal operations at border crossings are gradually resuming.
The Russian side also emphasized a mutual commitment to safeguarding a time-tested partnership and to strengthening the positive dynamics of Russia Tajikistan relations, while urging continued cooperation within the framework of allied ties.
What was said in Dushanbe
The Tajik Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Lavrov and Muhriddin discussed the plight of Tajik nationals on Russian soil who face restrictive measures. The Tajik side noted that the meeting occurred at Moscow’s initiative, with Lavrov conveying understanding of Tajik concerns in this sensitive area.
Muhriddin was quoted as stressing that a hostile attitude toward Tajik citizens and widespread violations of their rights contradict the principles governing bilateral relations. Tajik officials urged Russia to adhere to core bilateral and multilateral agreements, including the 1993 Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance and the 1993 and 1999 agreements focused on allied cooperation. They argued that these instruments remain essential to sustaining trust and mutual obligations within the partnership.
During the exchange, Tajikistan reiterated that Lavrov had suggested measures should not target a particular nation or religion, while Muhriddin countered that such statements must align with the on-ground realities. Reported comments from Tajikistan attributed to the foreign ministry also referenced that Moscow’s official interpretation would need to reflect the actual situation in practice.
Media coverage from agencies such as TASS attributed the Russian ministry’s account as presenting the conversation in its decided form, while presenting Tajikistan’s concerns as part of a broader dialogue on rights and security in the region.
How did the events develop?
Earlier in the week, regional news outlets reported friction at the Kazakh-Russian border involving Tajik-plate vehicles. A traffic bottleneck affecting roughly 180 vehicles emerged at the crossing, while other international-plate vehicles were allowed to continue through. Tajikistan’s foreign ministry later voiced concern over a surge in cases where Tajik citizens faced entry denials into the Russian Federation.
On April 27, Tajikistan advised its citizens traveling to Russia to exercise caution. The same day, a Russian foreign ministry spokesperson stated that security checks at land borders stemmed from the Crocus City Hall attack, characterizing the measures as temporary in nature.
By April 29, Tajikistan’s ambassador to Russia reportedly protested what it called violations of Tajik citizens’ rights, and was summoned to the Tajik Foreign Ministry to deliver a formal note about a broader pattern of negative treatment. Dushanbe described the actions as inconsistent with the spirit of Tajik-Russia relations, insisting on respectful conduct and compliance with agreed norms.
The Crocus City Hall incident, which occurred on March 22 near Moscow, involved gunmen entering the concert venue and opening fire before explosions and a fire erupted. The attack left numerous victims and raised questions about security measures affecting foreign nationals temporarily in Russia. Tajik officials noted that several Tajik citizens were detained in the wake of the incident while investigators pursued potential links to the crime.