Putin congratulates Tajikistan's Rahmon on birthday
In short
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on his birthday, according to Russian state and business outlets. RBC said the congratulations were delivered by phone, while Vedomosti reported that the text of a telegram was published on the Kremlin website; TASS and RIA Novosti did not specify the format. Putin praised Rahmon's personal contribution to relations of strategic partnership and alliance between the two countries.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on his birthday, Russian outlets reported. State agencies TASS and RIA Novosti and business outlets RBC and Vedomosti all carried the congratulations. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The outlets described the form of the congratulations differently. RBC said Putin congratulated Rahmon in a telephone call. Vedomosti reported that the text of Putin's telegram was published on the Kremlin website. TASS and RIA Novosti reported the congratulation without specifying a format. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
TASS said Putin noted Rahmon's personal contribution to the development of relations between Tajikistan and Russia. According to Vedomosti, Putin said Rahmon's work as president had been “marked by significant successes of the country in the economic and social spheres, and the strengthening of its positions on the world stage”, and that he enjoyed high authority among his compatriots and abroad. Putin told Rahmon, “It is hard to overestimate your personal contribution to the development of relations of strategic partnership and alliance between Tajikistan and Russia,” and wished him health and happiness, Vedomosti reported. He added that he would welcome continued constructive and comradely communication and productive joint work, the outlet said. [ 1 , 4 ]
Vedomosti also recalled the two leaders' meeting in Bishkek on September 1, where Putin spoke of a high level of relations between the countries. According to that report, Putin said Russia-Tajikistan trade grew 25.1% last year and rose a further 25% in the first half of 2026, that 320 enterprises with Russian participation operate in Tajikistan, and that more than 96% of mutual transactions are conducted in national currencies. Vedomosti added that Moscow and Dushanbe are implementing an economic cooperation programme for 2024–2027 and plan to increase mutual trade 2.5 times by 2030. [ 4 ]
Why it matters
The exchange is a routine item of Russian-Tajik diplomacy, but the Kremlin message as reported by Vedomosti sets the congratulation alongside bilateral trade figures and a stated goal of raising mutual trade 2.5 times by 2030. That framing points to Moscow's continued emphasis on its economic and allied ties with Dushanbe. The event has little significance beyond readers following Russia-Tajikistan and Central Asian relations.
Key facts
- Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on his birthday. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- RBC reported that the congratulations were delivered in a telephone call. [ 2 ]
- Vedomosti reported that the text of Putin's telegram was published on the Kremlin website. [ 4 ]
- TASS said Putin noted Rahmon's personal contribution to the development of relations between Tajikistan and Russia. [ 1 ]
- According to Vedomosti, Putin said Rahmon's personal contribution to strategic partnership and alliance between the two countries was hard to overestimate, and wished him health and happiness. [ 4 ]
- Vedomosti recalled that Putin met Rahmon in Bishkek on September 1, where he cited 25.1% growth in Russia-Tajikistan trade in 2025 and a further 25% rise in the first half of 2026. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- How the congratulations were conveyed: RBC reported a telephone call, while Vedomosti reported a telegram whose text was published on the Kremlin website, and TASS and RIA Novosti did not specify a format. The accounts differ; RBC attributes the congratulations to a phone call, while Vedomosti describes a written telegram, and no document states that both took place.
- Whether the phone call described by RBC and the telegram described by Vedomosti are the same congratulation or two separate contacts. No document addresses the question, and the Kremlin statement itself is not reproduced in full in the documents available.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports that Putin congratulated Rahmon, noting his personal contribution to Tajikistan-Russia relations. [ 1 ]
- RBC reports that Putin congratulated Rahmon by telephone. [ 2 ]
- RIA Novosti reports that Putin congratulated the president of Tajikistan on his birthday. [ 3 ]
- Vedomosti reports the congratulation and publishes the content of the Kremlin telegram, including bilateral trade figures and the planned increase in mutual trade. [ 4 ]