Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Russia is developing mutually respectful cooperation with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in the nuclear energy sphere. She claimed that Moscow builds relations with Central Asian states based on international law, bilateral agreements, and consideration of mutual interests.
Uzbekistan, Tashkent – In a joint special operation conducted by the State Security Service and the Customs Committee, a batch of illegally imported goods worth 33.5 billion Uzbek soums (approximately $2.7 million) was uncovered in the capital. The majority of the seized items consisted of nearly 2 million packs of tobacco products lacking excise stamps. A criminal case has been initiated in connection with this incident, and an investigation is currently underway.
An earthquake occurred in the territory of neighboring Kyrgyzstan, with tremors reaching border areas of Uzbekistan. According to the Republican Center for Seismopredictive Monitoring under the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the underground shocks were recorded on March 19 at 17:03 local time.
Authorities in Russia's Sverdlovsk Region have introduced new restrictions on the employment of foreign citizens working under a patent system, aligning with a broader trend observed across other parts of the country. The document signed by Governor Denis Pasler establishes a list of 20 types of activities where migrants are now prohibited from working, significantly limiting their labor opportunities in the local market.
The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Kazakhstan investigated complaints from five Uzbek citizens who worked at the “Karima” restaurant in Astana. A video circulated on social media showed the workers alleging that their passports were confiscated and salaries were unpaid for three months, sparking widespread public concern.
In Uzbekistan's Samarkand region, officers from the State Security Service (SSS) and Border Troops have disrupted major channels for drug trafficking from Tajikistan. During special operations, more than 38 kilograms of prohibited substances were seized.
The structure of labor migration in Russia's construction industry is undergoing significant changes. Recent reports indicate that demand for workers from Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries is markedly decreasing, while interest in specialists from India and South Asia is on the rise. This trend is expected to intensify by 2026, driven by a labor mobility agreement between Russia and India that is purportedly aimed at addressing workforce shortages.
According to Daniel Witt, director of the International Tax and Investment Center in Washington, the war in Iran is causing significant damage to Central Asian countries, particularly Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. These two nations imported food from Iran, but the current Iranian ban on food exports has placed them in a difficult situation. Witt emphasizes that wars affect not only direct participants but also the entire world, including Iran-bordering Central Asia, leading to negative consequences such as disrupted trade and economic instability.
The Russian government has prepared a draft law aimed at significantly tightening the country's migration legislation. The document, developed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD), was reviewed at a meeting of the legislative activity commission on March 16. The initiative proposes the mandatory deportation of foreigners for 20 types of administrative offenses, with no alternative penalties.
The Afghan government has accused Pakistani military forces of carrying out an airstrike on a rehabilitation center for drug addicts in Kabul on Monday evening. According to government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat on social media platform X, the treatment facility, designed for approximately 2,000 people, was struck around 21:00 local time.
Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev confirmed that the next presidential elections will be held in 2029, as stipulated by the Constitution. In an interview with journalists after the constitutional referendum on March 15, he responded to a question about some experts viewing the reform as preparation for a power transition or future elections, stating that the elections will take place as expected in 2029.
On March 15, the Republic of Kazakhstan held a significant referendum on a new draft Constitution for the country. Citizens voted on whether to adopt or reject the basic law, which was published on February 12, 2026. According to preliminary data from the Central Election Commission, 87.15% of referendum participants voted in favor of adopting the new Constitution, while 898,000 people opposed it. The new edition is set to take effect from July 1, 2026.