The European Union expresses concern about the circumvention of sanctions. Earlier, as part of the 19th sanctions package against Russia, several financial institutions from Kyrgyzstan were included in the list. The 20th package is currently being coordinated, which may also include organizations from Kyrgyzstan.
O'Sullivan noted that the EU does not insist on Kyrgyzstan joining the imposed sanctions, as it understands that some countries may choose a different path.
He also emphasized that the European Union does not require Kyrgyzstan to cease trade with Russia.
On the other hand, he stated that the EU is obligated to protect its interests. The sanctions are directed not against the country itself, but against specific institutions.
“We hope that Kyrgyzstan will not allow unscrupulous players to use its territory to circumvent sanctions, in particular, for the transit of European goods whose export to Russia is prohibited,” O'Sullivan concluded.
In January 2026, Bloomberg reported that the European Union plans to impose a series of restrictive measures against Kyrgyzstan for assisting Russia in circumventing sanctions.
As part of the new sanctions package against Moscow, the European Union is considering the possibility of applying a mechanism to counteract the circumvention of sanctions, which may prohibit the export of machinery and certain radio equipment to Kyrgyzstan.
The First Deputy Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Daniyar Amangeldiev, commented at the Munich Security Conference on the issue of the possible introduction of new sanctions against the country.
He noted that the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan regularly interacts with the EU Special Envoy for Sanctions, David O'Sullivan, on this matter.
Amangeldiev emphasized that the attention of European sanctions bodies to the Kyrgyz Republic has a frightening character and resembles the principle of “hit the small so the big ones fear,” which the Kyrgyz side does not agree with.
Note:
Since the beginning of 2022, more than 20 companies from Kyrgyzstan have come under sanctions from the U.S. and U.K. Treasury, including major banks and oil and gas companies. Secondary sanctions affect not only financial institutions and the oil sector but also companies engaged in supplies:
- telecommunication and electronic equipment,
- IT infrastructure,
- aviation fuel,
- air transport and other goods.
Economist Robin Brooks from the Brookings Institution noted a sharp increase in export supplies from Europe to Kyrgyzstan: from Estonia — by 10,000%, from Finland — by 3,100%, from Poland and Greece — by 2,200% and 2,100% respectively, as well as from Norway, the U.K., Germany, and the Czech Republic — by more than 1,000%.
