Photo 24.kg. EU Special Envoy for Sanctions David O'Sullivan — in the center
He noted that Brussels is concerned about the sharp increase in supplies of equipment, including machinery and radio equipment, over the past year. “These goods are not produced in Kyrgyzstan and are imported from Europe solely for re-export to Russia,” added O'Sullivan.
According to him, “we are not asking Kyrgyzstan to adopt our sanctions, but we strongly urge not to allow its territory to be used to circumvent these restrictions. The goods in question make up only a small fraction of trade and have no economic value for Kyrgyzstan — they are neither produced nor consumed here, but simply transshipped further.” He is confident that preventing such circumvention will not negatively impact the country's economy.
David O'Sullivan also emphasized that compared to the pre-war period, there has been a growth in supplies by hundreds of percent. He explained that even a small volume of inexpensive components can be used to create drones and missiles, which raises concerns among EU representatives.
The European Union has questions regarding Kyrgyzstan's financial system, which led to the inclusion of certain banks and operations with crypto assets in the 19th sanctions package.
David O'Sullivan
Speaking about sanctions against banks, O'Sullivan clarified: “We have imposed restrictions on two banks, but this is not related to their activities in Kyrgyzstan. It is a ban on transactions with European banks, effectively disconnecting them from the SWIFT system.” He emphasized that such measures are taken based on serious evidence and in the interest of the national security of EU countries.
We respect the sovereignty of Kyrgyzstan and its traditional relations with Russia. We do not oppose trade with the Russian Federation and remittances from migrants — this is legal.
David O'Sullivan
According to him, “we only ask that trade relations do not involve deliberate circumvention of sanctions through the supply of European dual-use goods.” He added that the European Union does not impose sanctions against countries but targets companies and banks. “Recently, banks in China were sanctioned. We have established a constructive dialogue with Kazakhstan, and serious steps have been taken there to prevent the transit of military goods,” he noted.
The special envoy met with representatives of the National Bank and the Ministry of Economy of Kyrgyzstan, and negotiations are also planned with the presidential administration and the cabinet of ministers.
We understand that the authorities of Kyrgyzstan have already taken certain steps and hope for further progress.
David O'Sullivan
He also reminded that since 1991, the European Union has allocated about 600 million euros to Kyrgyzstan in the form of grants and more than 1 billion euros in loans, including for the implementation of significant hydropower projects.
“The European Union attaches great importance to relations with the Kyrgyz Republic. In 2025, we signed an agreement on enhanced partnership, and bilateral trade turnover amounted to 3 billion euros,” he concluded.
Sanction Pressure: Timeline
Due to suspicions of circumventing restrictions against Russia, companies from various countries, including Kyrgyzstan, are falling under EU and US sanctions.
Kyrgyzstan has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the sanctions against banks. President Sadyr Japarov criticized the West in 2025 for the sanctions against the republic, calling them interference in internal affairs and pressure that complicates the development of the emerging economy.
