Trump pauses Russia sanctions for 60 days: 72% of Uzbek remittances come from that country
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Donald Trump has paused sanctions and tariffs on Russia for 60 days. Russia remains the largest single source of remittances flowing into Uzbekistan.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Donald Trump has paused sanctions and tariffs on Russia for 60 days. The measures — tariffs on Russian goods and penalties on countries buying Russian oil and gas — had been due to take effect the following week.
Why the pause
According to Rubio, Trump wants the 60-day window to analyse what the sanctions and tariffs would mean for the global economy and even the US economy. Rubio noted that several conflicts — including the US war on Iran and Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia — are affecting global oil and diesel prices.
The decision drew bipartisan criticism in the US. Republican Senator Thom Tillis called it 'beyond irresponsible'; Senator Rick Scott said the US must keep up economic pressure on Russia.
Why it matters for Uzbekistan
Russia remains Uzbekistan's largest labour market and the main source of its remittances. According to the Times of Central Asia, Uzbekistan received $9.3 billion in remittances in the first half of 2026 — 13% more than the same period a year earlier.
Russia accounted for 72.4% of that sum (down from 77.6% a year earlier). Between January and June 2026, 1.18 million Uzbeks travelled to Russia for work, 13.2% fewer than a year before. Any change in the Russian economy — through the rouble and jobs — directly affects the incomes of Uzbek families.
