Uzbekistan and Russia: A Time-Tested Strategic Partnership
Over three decades, 35 mutual high-level visits have taken place—an indicator of the unique intensity of their political dialogue. In the past two years alone, the leaders of the two countries met in Kazan, Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Tashkent, discussing industrial cooperation, energy integration, and support for regional ties. In 2024, the visit of the Russian President to Uzbekistan became a historic event, marking the launch of the Council of Regions—a new format for direct interaction between the regions of the two countries. An Economy Without Barriers: From Trade to Industrial Cooperation
The two countries operate a free trade regime in the economic sphere, and cooperation is coordinated by an Intergovernmental Commission comprising 14 subcommissions, ranging from industry and investment to science, digitalization, and healthcare.
In recent years, bilateral trade has steadily increased: from $5.7 billion in 2018 to $11.6 billion in 2024, and from January to August 2025, it reached $8.3 billion, an increase of 6.5%. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan's exports to Russia increased by almost 17%, primarily due to textiles, food, and metallurgical products. Uzbek fruits, textiles, and non-ferrous metals have long been recognizable brands in the Russian market.
Imports from Russia traditionally consist of rolled metal products, timber, energy resources, and vehicles, reflecting the complementarity of our economies. Investments in the Future: Industry, Energy, and Regions
The investment partnership between Uzbekistan and Russia currently encompasses 415 projects worth a total of $55.6 billion. In 2024 alone, over $5.8 billion was implemented, with another $5 billion planned for 2025.
More than 3,000 enterprises with Russian capital are actively operating in Uzbekistan, over 2,100 of which are in Tashkent. These companies are represented in all strategic sectors – from energy and chemicals to pharmaceuticals and digital technologies.
The project portfolio includes the construction of hydropower facilities, the creation of joint fertilizer and polymer production facilities, the development of non-ferrous metal deposits, and the launch of modern mechanical engineering and construction enterprises. A separate focus is the development of regional cooperation: in the Bukhara region alone, projects worth nearly $1.2 billion are being implemented, and in the Namangan region, projects worth over $600 million.
Transport and Logistics: The Connecting Link of Eurasia
Transportation remains the foundation of the entire cooperation system. In 2024, bilateral cargo traffic exceeded 15 million tons, while air passenger traffic reached 4 million (+42%).
Approximately 300 flights per week operate between the countries, making Russia one of Uzbekistan's largest aviation partners. Rail and road logistics corridors are being actively modernized, including routes through Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea, as well as the development of joint logistics centers and multimodal hubs.
Joint Roadmaps and Industrial Platforms
In recent years, dozens of roadmaps have been approved following visits and forums, including the major INNOPROM. Central Asia exhibitions. These roadmaps alone have resulted in the signing of hundreds of agreements worth billions of dollars in industry, trade, and innovation.
These documents are not mere formalities – they are the basis for dozens of specific projects, creating jobs, and shaping a new architecture for industrial cooperation between Uzbekistan and Russia. Result: a union of creativity and pragmatism
Uzbekistan and Russia are more than just neighbors and partners – their relations exemplify a pragmatic alliance, where the priority is not political rhetoric, but real actions.
The rapid growth of trade turnover, large-scale investments, the development of transport corridors, and the strengthening of humanitarian ties demonstrate that this partnership is not a tribute to the past, but an investment in a shared future.
