Japarov Urges Trump and Starmer Not to Mix Politics with Economics on Sanctions

Kyrgyz President Japarov urges Western leaders to separate politics from economics, denying sanctions evidence against Kyrgyz banks.
Sadyr Japarov. Photo: aki.kg

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov called on Western leaders, including Donald Trump and Keir Starmer, not to mix politics with economics when imposing sanctions against Kyrgyz banks. His remarks came in an interview with the Kabar news agency, following Britain’s August 20 announcement of sanctions against the Kyrgyz “Central Asian Capital Bank.”

The president recalled that in January the United States sanctioned “Keremet Bank,” suspecting it of helping Russia evade restrictions.

“But they have not been able to produce a single piece of evidence of any violation. And they never will, because such evidence does not exist and never has,” Japarov stressed.

He noted that 21 banks operate in Kyrgyzstan, and to reduce the risk of sanctions on others, it was decided that all transactions in Russian rubles would be handled only by the state-run Keremet Bank, under full government control, with profits flowing to the national budget. Capital Bank, he added, also transfers its net profit entirely to state funds.

Kyrgyz authorities proposed an independent audit of Keremet and Capital banks to their American counterparts, but the offer was declined. Instead, he said, they referred only to “certain data.”

“But we know perfectly well where this data comes from. It comes from local NGOs and our internal ill-wishers who send false, anonymous information abroad—and continue to do so. Then, relying on those false reports, we were placed on the sanctions list,” Japarov said.

He argued that Kyrgyzstan’s cooperation with Russia is driven by necessity: about one million Kyrgyz migrants live there and send home billions of rubles daily, which must be converted and made accessible.

Japarov insisted that there is no evidence of Kyrgyz banks violating sanctions and called the U.S. and U.K. decisions politicized. He suggested that Kyrgyzstan’s rapid economic growth may be the real reason for the pressure.

“For example, our GDP grew by 11.7 percent, putting us among the leaders in the CIS. I think that’s why pressure is being applied. Great powers do not want other countries to grow rapidly. They prefer that everyone depend on them,” he explained.

He appealed directly to Western leaders: “I would address the top leadership of these countries—Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. Perhaps they are not fully informed. Do not politicize the economy,” Japarov said.

He pointed out that Kyrgyzstan maintains a multi-vector foreign policy and, for example, exports $1 billion worth of gold annually to the U.K. Japarov emphasized that Kyrgyz banks are ready to provide all necessary data to prove their integrity.

According to him, Western sanctions have only benefited Russia.

“What changed when sanctions were imposed on Russia? On the contrary, they were able to raise their own industry and agriculture to a high level. Products they used to import, they now export. Gas and oil are still exported as before. Of course, in certain sectors sanctions have effects. But it does not mean the country collapses,” Japarov said.

He added that Western countries themselves continue trading with Russia.

“In 2024, European Union countries traded with Russia worth $141 billion. Specifically, they imported $36 billion worth of goods. And Britain, which sanctioned our bank, itself traded with Russia for $2.2 billion that same year,” he noted. “Before making demands, one must set an example,” the president added.

Japarov reaffirmed that Kyrgyzstan strictly observes international obligations, is open to dialogue, and is ready to meet all requirements. But actions inconsistent with partnership, he said, amount to interference in the country’s internal affairs.

“I will not allow the interests of our citizens and our country’s trade and economic development to be undermined. Even under sanction pressure, our daily life will continue,” Japarov concluded.