What’s happening in the Turkic world?

The balance of political power in the Turkic world is shifting, with states seeking to strengthen their positions in a competitive global environment through cooperation. To analyze recent events, political developments, and regional changes in the Turkic world and neighboring countries, as well as the actions of state officials, we have launched the “Turkic Digest” project. Through this initiative, we aim to highlight the strategic significance of these developments and their importance for overall Turkic unity. And so, we begin.

Central Asian leaders head to the United States

Members of the U.S. Congress, including Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Bill Huizenga, sent a letter to President Donald Trump inviting him to host the C5+1 summit in Washington, marking the 10th anniversary of the diplomatic forum.

In the letter, the congressmen noted that the anniversary presents a rare opportunity to strengthen cooperation with Central Asia and advance U.S. strategic interests in the region, including security, economic development, soft power, and governance.

They also called on the administration to produce concrete summit outcomes and agreements that would reinforce long-term cooperation with Central Asia.

Upon receiving the letter, Trump immediately extended an invitation to Central Asian leaders to hold the summit. The meeting is now scheduled to take place on November 6 in Washington.

The C5+1 format was established following the first meeting of foreign ministers in Samarkand in November 2015 and continued through meetings at the foreign minister level until the presidential meeting on September 19, 2023. The discussions within this initiative primarily focus on security, economic issues, and environmental cooperation.

On September 27, 2024, during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, a meeting was held under the C5+1 regional diplomatic platform between the foreign ministers of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Participants agreed on the need to intensify and coordinate joint efforts to combat terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, transnational and cybercrime, as well as radicalization.

Uzbek citizens face deadly risks in Ukraine

Uzbek citizens seeking work in Russia are dying in the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine. Many are subjected to torture, intimidation, and forced conscription by Russian forces, and young men who were unprepared or simply seeking to support their families are losing their lives abroad.

The “I Want to Live” project, organized with the support of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense and Main Intelligence Directorate, has published the names of 481 Uzbek citizens who were recruited to fight for the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine and have either been killed or gone missing. The project notes that the real numbers may be several times higher.

According to the project, Uzbekistan currently leads in the number of foreign contract soldiers in the Russian military. In 2023, 498 Uzbeks signed contracts, followed by 941 in 2024. In the first six months of 2025 alone, nearly 1,300 Uzbek citizens joined Russian forces to fight. The trend shows that the number of people taking up arms abroad for money continues to rise each year.

Interestingly, Uzbek citizens consistently rank first among foreign prisoners of war. In 2025, 1.8 million Uzbeks traveled to Russia. Most arrived as labor migrants, but not all found employment. As a result, many have continued to serve as casualties in Russia’s military operations.

Will Japarov apologize again?

On October 25, Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov hosted the wedding of his nephew at the No. 1 Ala-Archa State Residence. The ceremony was a private event for Japarov’s nephew, Danadil Japarov, and his adopted son. High-ranking officials, including politicians, business representatives, and members of the bride’s family, attended the ceremony. Guests were prohibited from using mobile phones and audio recording devices. The state covered all wedding expenses, though the total cost remains unknown.

The bride chosen by Danadil Japarov lives in a rural village in the Yeti-Oguz district of Issyk-Kul region. She comes from a modest family; her father is deceased, and her mother is a teacher. Japarov personally approved his nephew’s choice, praising the bride’s humble background and modesty.

So far, the Presidential Administration has not issued an official comment on the matter.

As a reminder, on June 24 last year, Japarov’s 23-year-old nephew held the “Marry Me” ceremony in the Oruu-Say gorge of Kyrgyzstan with Lazzat Nurkozhoeva. A video from the ceremony was posted on Nurkozhoeva’s Instagram page, showing the bride and groom arriving by helicopter from the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) and ascending a lavishly decorated platform. The event drew sharp criticism on social media, with users accusing Nurkozhoeva of exploiting family connections.

Kyrgyzstan’s MES officially rents out its helicopters. The hourly rental rate is 185,000 soms (over $2,000). President Japarov explained that funds from helicopter rentals go to the state budget and support the renewal of the MES helicopter fleet. He also emphasized that family members must exercise restraint in spending.

Japarov stated: “Those close to the country’s leadership should set an example. I have repeatedly stressed the need to curb extravagance. At the very least, the groom should have considered this before proposing in such a manner. He should have aimed not to attract criticism or place the President in an awkward position. I believe he acted in youthful naivety. Even a simple proposal would have been accepted without issue.”

The President also frequently advises his relatives to avoid repeating past mistakes and not interfere in state affairs.

“I used to criticize others. Now this situation has come back to me. I apologize to the people on behalf of my nephew. He listens to public opinion, and I believe he will learn the right lessons. Moreover, he is starting a new life, forming a family, and I hope every action he takes in the future will be wise,” Japarov added.

Just a month after the wedding, the groom, Aftandil Sabirbekov, who had staged the lavish “Marry Me” ceremony, was arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking and placed in pretrial detention.

President urges citizens not to complain about power outages

Following the wedding of his nephew Danadil at the state residence, Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov visited Jalalabad Province on October 27, where he spoke at the inauguration of the Korakol Hydropower Plant. In his address, he urged the public not to complain about electricity shortages.

“Let us not complain about electricity supply interruptions during the winter. We have endured it for 30 years; we can manage for another 2.5 years,” he said.

He described the launch of the hydropower plant as a crucial step toward ensuring the country’s energy security and supporting the development of the national economy.

“We are committed to providing a stable energy supply and gradually eliminating winter shortages. In two and a half years, Kyrgyzstan will stop importing electricity. The energy we generate will fully meet domestic demand,” he added.

The President noted that the plant was completed five months ahead of schedule. The project was executed entirely by the local company Jagalmay using national resources.

Japarov also highlighted that around 40 small and medium-sized hydropower plants are currently under construction across the country, along with a new thermal power station in Korakeche. Once operational, Kyrgyzstan will not only eliminate imports but also have the capacity to export electricity. The Korakol Hydropower Plant, built on the Karasuu River, is equipped with modern facilities, and after 15 years of operation, ownership will be transferred to the state.

Turkmenistan: prioritizing dogs over human life

Is the life of a dog valued more than a human’s? In Turkmenistan, it seems so. On October 15, security forces in Turkmenabad, Lebap Province, blocked roads for President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s motorcade, preventing a seven-month pregnant woman from reaching a hospital, where she ultimately died.

Her husband attempted to take her to the hospital, but security forces refused to let them pass. The man even knelt and pleaded, but the officers, showing no regard for human life, directed him to walk to the district medical center. The woman, pregnant, died in her husband’s arms.

Security personnel demanded that the husband keep the incident, caused by the President’s motorcade, a secret. Local reports indicate that the family’s home is now guarded, and the husband has been threatened for intending to seek justice from the President and report the matter to media and the UN.

On October 26, President Berdimuhamedov gifted a car to a Central Asian Shepherd dog named Vepali, which was awarded the title “Brave Turkmen Alabai of the Year,” and its handler. Whether the President is aware of the tragic death of the pregnant woman remains unknown.

It is not surprising that the dog received such treatment. Turkmen officials are known for their extreme affection for animals; in 2020, a golden monument was even erected in honor of a dog.

Turkey hotel fire traps 11 people for life

In January of this year, a major fire broke out at the 12-story Grand Kartal Hotel at the Kartalkaya ski resort in Bolu Province, Turkey. The fire started in the hotel’s restaurant and claimed 78 lives, including Turkish TV presenter Nedim Turkmen, who was on vacation with his family. His wife, Aisha Neva, and their two children, 18-year-old daughter Ala Dora and 22-year-old son Yuzhe Ata, also perished. Only their third daughter, Pelin Turkmen, survived and attended her family’s funeral.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his wife, Emine Erdoğan, visited Bolu to offer condolences to the Gültekin family, who lost relatives in the fire. Erdoğan attended the funeral and was visibly emotional.

Among the victims were 34 children. The fire occurred during school holidays while many families traveled from Istanbul and Ankara to the mountains for skiing. Another 137 people were injured.

On October 31, 11 individuals were sentenced to life imprisonment for their role in the fire, including the hotel owner Halit Ergül. Investigations are ongoing, with 32 suspects in total, 20 of whom are in pretrial detention. The accused include hotel directors, managers, staff, the deputy mayor, and fire safety officials. Independent experts reported that the hotel had failed to implement basic fire safety measures.

Kyrgyz-Tajik border guards may be completely withdrawn

On October 30, during the 91st meeting of the CIS Border Guard Commanders Council in Manas, Kamchibek Tashiev, Chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security, said that the need for a permanent border with Tajikistan could soon disappear.

According to Tashiev, the leaders of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, Sadyr Japarov and Emomali Rahmon, are working to create conditions for the populations of both countries to live “in a spirit of friendship only.” In addition, as of October 25, 2025, large-scale engineering work on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border was completed, including more than 107 kilometers of wire, reinforced concrete pillars, barbed wire, 3D barriers, and over 143 kilometers of road. Details regarding the withdrawal of border guards have not yet been disclosed.

Large part of Somoni glacier breaks off

Near the village of Safedobi in Tajikobod district, Tajikistan, a large section of the Ismoil Somoni Glacier broke off. On October 25, the glacier fragment, approximately 2 kilometers long, 25 meters high, and 200 meters wide, slid down the gorge. No casualties or major property damage were reported.

Experts, however, warned of the risk of floods and landslides due to ongoing rainfall and the potential detachment of additional ice chunks. The situation could particularly threaten agricultural lands around the village of Gulrez.

This concludes our coverage for now. Stay with us for continued updates on the Turkic world and Central Asia.