Why It Matters
The Kyrgyz Republic has fallen on governance indexes since 2019 while its economy has grown quickly, according to a new Congressional Research Service (CRS) report.
Some members of Congress have expressed interest in strengthening U.S. economic ties with Kyrgyzstan and countering Russian sanctions evasion through the country, the report says. The Trump administration describes its priorities as "expanding economic cooperation, strengthening sanctions compliance, and enforcing national immigration laws."
The Big Picture
CRS reports that Freedom House has rated Kyrgyzstan "not free" since 2021. Its score fell from 38 out of 100 in 2019 to 25 out of 100 in the latest rating. Reporters Without Borders ranks the country 146th of 180 on press freedom, down from 83rd.
The report adds that many analysts assess President Sadyr Japarov has stifled opposition and increased pressure on civil society and independent media. In the November 2025 snap parliamentary elections, only one party fielded candidates, and over 80% of deputies are Japarov supporters who ran as independents.
The economy tells a different story. The World Bank says GDP grew 11.1% in 2025 and projects 6.1% growth in 2026, while official figures show consumer prices up 12.2% year over year in September.
Sanctions evasion is the other concern for Congress. The Treasury Department has sanctioned multiple Kyrgyz entities, and the European Union restricted exports of some high-tech goods to Kyrgyzstan in April, according to Reuters.
On immigration, the State Department paused immigrant visas for Kyrgyz nationals in January. A court order ended the pause as of Aug. 21, and Kyrgyz nationals remain subject to visa bonds of up to $20,000.
Three Senate resolutions in the 119th Congress touch on the region:
- S.Res. 459, sponsored by Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), honors the C5+1 diplomatic platform and the U.S. partnership with five Central Asian nations. The Senate agreed to it by unanimous consent on Nov. 4, 2025.
- S.Res. 816, also from Daines, honors 35 years of independence for Central Asian countries. The Senate agreed to it on Sept. 17.
- S.Res. 631, sponsored by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), would request a State Department statement on Uzbekistan's human rights practices. It was referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on March 10.
The Bottom Line
Kyrgyzstan is scheduled to hold a presidential election in January 2027, and Japarov intends to seek a second term. The country also begins a two-year term on the United Nations Security Council that month.
The State Department's appeal in the visa case remains pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. S.Res. 631 remains in committee.
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