Putin calls Tajik President Rahmon to congratulate him on birthday
In short
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone call with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and congratulated him on his birthday, the Kremlin said. The two sides expressed satisfaction with the high level of Russian-Tajik relations of strategic partnership and alliance, according to the Kremlin statement. Putin also sent Rahmon a congratulatory telegram, in which he praised Tajikistan's economic and social progress and Rahmon's international standing.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone call with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and congratulated him on his birthday, according to the Kremlin. Putin also sent Rahmon a congratulatory telegram on the occasion. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, the reports said. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
“Both sides expressed satisfaction with the high level of Russian-Tajik relations of strategic partnership and alliance, and confirmed their intention to develop them actively further,” the Kremlin statement said, as quoted by Vedomosti and Kommersant. [ 2 , 3 ]
In the telegram, Putin said Rahmon's work as president “has been marked by significant successes of the country in the economic and social spheres, and by the strengthening of its positions on the world arena.” The Russian president said Rahmon rightly enjoys high authority among his compatriots and abroad, and Kommersant reported that Putin expected continued “constructive, comradely communication and fruitful joint work.” [ 2 , 3 ]
The two presidents last met in Bishkek in early September at a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, where they discussed security, including the situation in Afghanistan, and strategic partnership. Vedomosti put the meeting on 1 September; Kommersant described it as taking place in early September at the SCO summit. [ 2 , 3 ]
Putin said trade between Russia and Tajikistan grew 25.1% last year and rose by a further 25% in the first half of 2026. He said 320 enterprises with Russian participation operate in Tajikistan and that more than 96% of all mutual operations are conducted in national currencies, Vedomosti reported. Kommersant reported that the share of the ruble in commercial deals exceeded 96% in 2024 and that several Tajik banks had connected to the Bank of Russia's financial messaging system, saying the arrangement reduces reliance on foreign currencies. Moscow and Dushanbe are implementing an economic cooperation programme for 2024-2027 and plan to increase mutual trade 2.5 times by 2030, Vedomosti reported. [ 2 , 3 ]
Kommersant also noted that Russian oil and petroleum product supplies play a visible role in the exchange; according to a statement by Putin in March 2025, these almost fully covered the Tajik economy's hydrocarbon needs. It added that agreements had expanded the potential for mutual agricultural trade and that an industrial cluster involving Russian light industry, chemicals and machine-building enterprises was being discussed. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The call is a routine diplomatic contact, but the documents present it as part of continuing Russian-Tajik coordination on trade and security, including Afghanistan. Reported trade growth and the shift of mutual payments into national currencies indicate the relationship is being deepened on economic as well as political terms.
Key facts
- Vladimir Putin and Emomali Rahmon spoke by telephone; Putin congratulated Rahmon on his birthday. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The Kremlin said both sides expressed satisfaction with the high level of Russian-Tajik relations of strategic partnership and alliance and confirmed their intention to develop them further. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Putin also sent Rahmon a congratulatory telegram saying Rahmon's work as president was marked by significant successes in the economic and social spheres and a strengthening of Tajikistan's position on the world stage. [ 2 , 3 ]
- According to Putin, trade between Russia and Tajikistan grew 25.1% last year and by a further 25% in the first half of 2026. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Putin said 320 enterprises with Russian participation operate in Tajikistan and that more than 96% of all mutual operations are conducted in national currencies. [ 2 ]
- The two countries are implementing an economic cooperation programme for 2024-2027 and plan to increase mutual trade 2.5 times by 2030. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Vladimir Putin and Emomali Rahmon spoke by telephone, and Putin congratulated the Tajik president on his birthday. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The Kremlin said the two sides expressed satisfaction with the high level of Russian-Tajik relations of strategic partnership and alliance. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Putin sent Rahmon a congratulatory telegram in which he described Rahmon's tenure as marked by economic and social successes and by a stronger international position for Tajikistan. [ 2 , 3 ]
- According to Putin, bilateral trade rose 25.1% in the previous year and by another 25% in the first half of 2026. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The two presidents met in Bishkek in early September at an SCO summit, where they discussed security, including the situation in Afghanistan, and strategic partnership. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The exact time and place of the telephone call, and where each president was during it, are not stated. The reports only give their publication times; no call time or location is given.
- The currency-settlement figures are described differently: more than 96% of all mutual operations in national currencies, against a ruble share above 96% in commercial deals in 2024. These are single-source claims with different definitions, so the exact measure is unclear.
- The date of the Bishkek meeting is given as 1 September by one outlet and as early September at the SCO summit by another. Minor discrepancy between two outlets.
- Rahmon's birthday date is not given in the documents. The congratulation is reported, but no date is specified.