The European Union is considering the unprecedented use of an anti-circumvention tool, which would directly ban the export of industrial equipment to Kyrgyzstan. According to Bloomberg, this measure is being discussed as part of preparations for the 20th anniversary sanctions package against Russia, which is expected to be adopted by the end of February 2026.
If activated, European companies will be prohibited from supplying Kyrgyzstan with:
- High-tech industrial machine tools;
- Certain types of electronic equipment;
- Cryptocurrency and financial services that facilitate the circumvention of restrictions.
Kyrgyzstan has repeatedly come under scrutiny from European regulators. In October 2025, specific financial institutions were targeted under the 19th sanctions package: Tolubay and Eurasian Savings Bank. At the same time, restrictions also affected VTB's branch in Kazakhstan and several banks in Tajikistan (Dushanbe City, Spitamen, and Commerzbank).
However, the new instrument marks a shift from sanctions against individual companies to restrictions against entire countries, representing a radical tightening of Brussels' policy.
Officially, Bishkek consistently denies accusations of aiding sanctions evasion.
- The Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the EU to conduct an independent investigation and establish a joint working group to monitor transactions.
- President Sadyr Japarov previously stated that not a single instance of re-export of sanctioned goods had been proven.
"If there had been even one instance, the countries making the claims would have provided evidence. On the contrary, we see how the very authors of the sanctions continue to cooperate with Russia to the tune of billions of dollars," Japarov emphasized in August 2025.
Despite these statements, the EU intends to strengthen its monitoring, fearing that Central Asia remains a key hub for the supply of dual-use goods to Russia.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
February 2, 2026