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Kyrgyz prime minister’s resignation signals pivot away from West, expert says

"The republic appears poised to prioritize stronger ties with Russia and China over relations with the West," Vladimir Yevseyev noted

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. The resignation of Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Zhaparov marks a significant shift in the country’s foreign policy, signaling a move away from the West, Vladimir Yevseyev, Head of the Department for Eurasian Integration and SCO Development at the Institute of CIS Countries and a prominent military analyst, told TASS.

"Prime Minister [Akylbek Zhaparov] was largely seen as a figure supported by the West. This step — his resignation — reflects an adjustment of both Kyrgyzstan's foreign and domestic political course," the expert believes. "The republic appears poised to prioritize stronger ties with Russia and China over relations with the West."

Yevseyev stressed that during Akylbek Zhaparov’s tenure, the country saw renewed efforts to strengthen ties with the West. "This Western alignment gained momentum during the presidency of Askar Akayev (Kyrgyz President from 1991 to 2005 - TASS), when Kyrgyzstan sought to position itself as a ‘kind of Switzerland,’" he said. However, according to him, this strategy was later abandoned, but recently, a Western-oriented approach reemerged, largely driven by gold exports traded through the London Stock Exchange.

"Until now, the country’s leadership was effectively shared by three figures - President Sadyr Zhaparov, Prime Minister Akylbek Zhaparov, and Head of Kyrgyzstan's State Committee for National Security Kamchybek Tashiyev. With one of them now removed, this marks a serious development," the expert added. "This move likely reflects a decision made jointly by Tashiyev and President Sadyr Zhaparov," he noted.

On December 16, the President of Kyrgyzstan formally dismissed Prime Minister Akylbek Zhaparov. Adylbek Kasymaliev, First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, was appointed as interim prime minister.

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