The visit to Bishkek on 26 February by EU sanctions envoy David O\u2019Sullivan reflects the European Union\u2019s tougher stance on the circumvention of sanctions targeting Russia in the region. Kyrgyzstan could thus become the first country targeted by heavy counter-sanctions from Brussels.
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Since the start of Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Central Asia has become<\/a> a strategic link in parallel trade flows allowing Russia to keep its economy afloat. Faced with this situation, the European Union is sharply toughening its tone, placing Kyrgyzstan on the front line of its new pressure strategy. Faites un don \u00e0 Novastan<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bishkek\u2019s role as a re-export platform is now documented. Analyses<\/a> show a surge in Kyrgyz imports from China, notably trucks, components and industrial parts, which are then re-exported to the Russian market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to internal European Commission documents cited by Kazakh media outlet Kursiv<\/a><\/em>, imports of so-called \u201cpriority\u201d goods, often dual-use civilian and military products, from the European Union to Kyrgyzstan have increased by around 800% since 2022. Over the same period, Kyrgyz exports to Russia have jumped by around 1,200%, fuelling suspicions of re-export to the Russian market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This circuit allows Moscow to bypass Western restrictions, while undermining international rules on trade transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the first time, Brussels is considering deploying its most coercive instrument: the sanctions anti-circumvention tool. This mechanism, which would be part of a twentieth sanctions package – delayed by Hungary\u2019s veto – would make it possible to ban the export of certain products to a third country without having to provide irrefutable proof of their re-export, as reported by Reuters<\/a><\/em>. Novastan est le seul m\u00e9dia en fran\u00e7ais et en allemand sp\u00e9cialis\u00e9 sur l'Asie centrale. Enti\u00e8rement associatif, il fonctionne gr\u00e2ce \u00e0 votre participation. Nous sommes ind\u00e9pendants et pour le rester, nous avons besoin de vous !\u00a0Vous pouvez nous soutenir \u00e0 partir de 2 euros par mois<\/a><\/strong> (d\u00e9fiscalis\u00e9 \u00e0 66 %), ou en\u00a0devenant membre actif par ici<\/a><\/strong>.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n The targeted measures could include export bans on industrial machine tools, including CNC machines, and radio equipment, as well as action against the financial sector. A Kyrgyz cryptocurrency company is reportedly under scrutiny for allegedly supporting financial interests linked to Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Discussions are focused instead on targeted measures, Radio Free Europe<\/em> explains<\/a>, such as listing Kyrgyz companies or financial institutions if they facilitate the circumvention of restrictions against Moscow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This Western pressure is considerably straining<\/a> relations between the EU and Bishkek, at a time when the country is also trying to move closer to the United States. David O\u2019Sullivan, the EU\u2019s special envoy for sanctions, personally urged the local authorities to change their policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are not asking Kyrgyzstan not to have trade relations with Russia. We are only asking that this trade relationship not involve the deliberate circumvention of our sanctions,\u201d he stressed during his visit to Bishkek on 26 February.<\/p>\n\n\n Want more Central Asia in your inbox? Subscribe to our newsletter here.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Kyrgyzstan\u2019s response has so far been direct, according to sources quoted by the British daily Financial Times<\/em>: the country reportedly<\/a> threatened to take the European Union to international courts if such sanctions were imposed. These allegations were immediately denied by the Kyrgyz government, local media outlet 24.kg<\/em> reported<\/a> in early March.
<\/p>\n\n\nActivation of the \u201canti-circumvention\u201d tool<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\nA major diplomatic crisis<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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