Russian ambassador summoned to Foreign Ministry to comment on Prilepin’s statement

At the meeting, it was stressed that such claims voiced by Russian officials do not correspond to the spirit of a comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance between the two countries.

“Such statements widely spread in the Russian mass media in a provocative mood may have a negative impact on the historically friendly relations established between our peoples,” the MFA said.

On his part, Oleg Malginov, with full responsibility, noted that Prilepin’s statements had nothing to do with the official position of the leadership of Russia.

As the representative of the Russian Federation in Uzbekistan, the ambassador noted that "the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Uzbekistan have never been questioned in his country."

Malginov also noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia plans to comment on this incident soon.

Earlier Zakhar Prilepin, a Russian writer, political and military figure and the co-chairman of the ‘Spravedlivaya Rossiya - za pravdu’ party proposed joining the territory of Uzbekistan to the Russian Federation.

“The more Russians there are, the fewer problems we will have with migrants misbehaving in our country. Therefore, I support the idea of joining the territories of those countries, for example, Uzbekistan to the Russian Federation, and teaching them Russian there before they come here,” he said.