Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov commented to the Kabar news agency on allegations that Kyrgyzstan is allegedly helping to circumvent sanctions.

- In a number of media there was news that US Senator Robert Menendez wrote a letter addressed to you, in which he asks for compliance with the sanctions imposed against Russia. At the same time, it became known earlier that the cargo of the Kyrgyz company in the form of Chinese drones or unmanned aerial vehicles was detained in Kazakhstan while trying to further export to Russia. Is it possible to believe that our country is helping to circumvent Western sanctions?

- There are no reasons to believe so. Russia and China do not depend on small Kyrgyzstan. These countries are already neighbors. There are 4,000 kilometers of common border between them. If Russia wants, it can bring any goods it wants by sea by wagons or by barges.

Yes, a cargo in the form of drones from a Kyrgyz company was detained in Kazakhstan. The company explained that these drones were intended for agricultural purposes. But despite this, we now prohibit the export of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles.

As for the senator’s letter, I receive letters from many prominent politicians. I regard this as a common excuse to put pressure on Kyrgyzstan and win us over to their side. But we will not allow this. We are an independent country. We will continue to have equal relations with all countries. We will pursue a multi-vector foreign policy.

On the issue of Russia and Ukraine, we initially stated that we adhere to a neutral position. We will adhere to this position in the future. Whether we change our position or not, the situation will not change in either direction. It does not depend on us.