Kanyshai Butun
01 September 2026•Update: 01 September 2026
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said that Moscow remains in “close contact” with Tajikistan over security concerns related to neighboring Afghanistan.
“We are aware of your concerns about what is happening in our neighboring country, Afghanistan, and we are in close contact on these and other security-related issues.” Putin said in a meeting with his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek.
He described bilateral ties between the two countries as a “truly strategic partnership.”
Putin said trade turnover rose 25.1% last year and another 25% in the first half of this year. About 320 Russian-participated enterprises operate in Tajikistan, while more than 96% of transactions are conducted in national currencies.
He also highlighted cooperation in education and culture, saying that 6,000 children attend Russian-language schools in Tajikistan and more than 35,000 Tajik students study at Russian universities.
Rahmon, for his part, said relations were developing successfully across all areas, including trade, security and humanitarian cooperation, and said he expected to discuss bilateral ties and regional and international issues.
