Tajikistan's President Asks Putin Not to Treat Central Asian Countries as Former USSR States

Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon has addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin, asking him not to treat Central Asian countries as former Soviet states. According to Kommersant, Rahmon made this statement during the Russia-Central Asia forum in Astana, which Putin also attended.

“At that time, as now, there was no attention given to small republics and small nations. Traditions and customs were not taken into account. They did not support development,” said Rahmon.

“We want to be respected. Where have we broken something? Did we greet incorrectly somewhere? We have always respected the interests of our main strategic partner (Russia). We want to be respected. What, are we some kind of foreigners? We do not need large investments. Vladimir Vladimirovich, please do not have a policy regarding Central Asian countries like that which was pursued towards the former Soviet Union,” the President of Tajikistan stated.