The Uzbek Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador Oleg Malginov on December 22 and told him that statements by ultranationalist pro-Kremlin writer Zakhar Prilepin a day earlier are "provocative and may have a negative impact" on Uzbek-Russian relations. Prilepin on December 21 spoke publicly about "the necessity to join Uzbekistan's territory with Russia." Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on December 22 that Prilepin's statement is "his personal opinion that has nothing to do with Russia's official position." Russian public figures have often publicly questioned sovereignty and territorial integrity of the former Soviet republics.
Uzbekistan Summons Russian Ambassador Over Statement By Ultranationalist Writer
Zakhar Prilepin (file photo)