The United States of America understands and respects Uzbekistan’s position in relation to the war in Ukraine, the US Ambassador to Tashkent Daniel Rosenblum told in an interview to the Amerika Ovozi (Voice of America).
“We understand and appreciate it, and respect the constraints and tough choices that Uzbekistan faces. Again, the two visits [of the Uzbek delegation to the United States], we had lots of opportunities to really understand Uzbekistan’s position. We deeply respect the fact that, due to geography and history, Uzbekistan has to balance a lot of interests and has to get along with its neighbors, especially the neighbors who are also trading partners and important sources of investment,” he said.
He noted the factor that Uzbek labor migrants in Russia are sending money home, thereby supporting the country's economy. “Those things are fundamental for survival of Uzbekistan, and we do understand it entirely,” he stressed.
Speaking about the situation in Ukraine, the Ambassador emphasized a number of fundamental principles that the United States always stress in relations with Uzbekistan.
“Sovereignty and Independence – We always start out almost every bilateral meeting by saying that we support and respect each other’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. These are international principles that are vital to having a stable world. Because once those principles go out the window, it is all about who has power and who can impose their will on somebody else. And, sadly, this is what we are seeing with the Russian invasion in Ukraine,” he said.
According to the diplomat, these principles are dear to Uzbekistan, and the United States has seen this throughout the entire 30-year history of Uzbekistan's independence.
Daniel Rosenblum touched upon the March statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulaziz Kamilov at a meeting of the Senate, which outlined the country's position on the situation in Ukraine.
“I think it was a very reasonable, clear and understandable position. Anyway, to your question about our understanding and appreciating Uzbekistan's position. And we stand ready to work with Uzbekistan to deal with the challenges that this war has brought to the world and the region,” he stressed.
He added that he would not be able to slearly assess the mood in society regarding the conflict in Ukraine, since polls and studies were not conducted on this matter, and he can only judge this by talking to people, publishing on the Internet and media reports.
“Based on the foregoing, I conclude that the public is split about the war in Ukraine. I can't say how split it is - 50/50 or 80/20. It’s hard to say for sure, but it’s clear that people have different views,” he said.
To the question of Navbakhor Imamova: “Don’t you expect from a strategic partner that he will be by your side in such a difficult time?” the ambassador replied that the US "has no hard feelings".
“Because, again, we understand completely the dilemma that Uzbekistan is facing… I think the main thing here is that Uzbekistan has made a position. If you look at the statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, it is essentially neutrality,” he said.
At the same time, according to the diplomat, the United States expects that neutrality will be genuine neutrality: that is, Uzbekistan does not criticize the invasion and does not provide military assistance that European countries provide to Ukraine, but at the same time, Uzbekistan should not approve the actions of the other party, assist it or be an accomplice.
"That's what I think America would like to see a kind of real neutrality," said Ambassador Daniel Rosenblum.
The diplomat stressed that the United States continues to consider Uzbekistan a strategic partner, with which share interests. “We want to continue developing this cooperation,” he said.
In early March, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, during talks with Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov, thanked Uzbekistan for its humanitarian aid to the peoples of Ukraine and Afghanistan.
