Putin awards Zakharova, known for meddling in Uzbekistan’s internal affairs

Maria Zakharova, Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and official spokesperson of the Russian diplomatic mission, has been awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree. The corresponding decree was signed and published by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“For her contribution to the implementation of the foreign policy of the Russian Federation and many years of conscientious diplomatic service, Maria Vladimirovna Zakharova shall be awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree,” the decree states.

Zakharova was born in 1975 and graduated in 1998 from the Faculty of International Information at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, majoring in international journalism. She is fluent in English and Chinese and holds the diplomatic rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

In August 2015, she was appointed Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Notably, Maria Zakharova has gained a reputation for interfering in the internal affairs of former Soviet republics in Central Asia, often disregarding the principles of international diplomacy and making controversial statements on behalf of Russia.

Most recently, on September 23, she drew criticism for her reaction to an incident at School No. 188 in the Chilanzar district of Tashkent, where a student named E.G. interrupted teacher R.O. during a 6th-grade Russian language lesson. Following the incident, Zakharova publicly called on Uzbek authorities to explain the situation and take action against the teacher, which many in Uzbekistan, including the public, activists, and members of parliament, condemned as direct interference in the country's internal affairs and an attempt to politicize a domestic matter.