Russia Voices Displeasure At Western Attempts To Draw Its Friends Away: 'Aimed At Luring Our Central Asian Neighbors'

Russia is reportedly monitoring Western nations’ efforts to establish alliances within its traditional sphere of influence in Central Asia, causing significant unease.

What Happened: Western nations are actively seeking to form alliances in Central Asia, a region rich in natural resources, which has triggered anxiety in Russia, CNBC reported.

French President Emmanuel Macron recently visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, praising their refusal to side with Russia against Ukraine. This move has likely further incensed Russia, which has been observing Western efforts to court Central Asia with suspicion.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed concerns about Western nations’ attempts to lure Russia’s “neighbors, friends, and allies” away, using economic and trade incentives and modest aid programs.

"Look at how Western powers are wooing Central Asia," Lavrov told the BelTA news agency.

"They have created numerous formats such as ‘Central Asia plus' involving the United States, the EU, and Japan…On top of the Central Asia plus EU format, the Germans have created their own format. The French won't be wasting time and will do the same," he said.

"These frameworks for diplomatic engagements are aimed at luring our Central Asian neighbours, friends, and allies towards the West which promises them economic and trade incentives and delivers relatively modest aid programmes."

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The West’s interest in Central Asia is not limited to Europe. The US and China are also extending their influence in the region, with China conducting a summit with Central Asian states earlier this year.

Analysts suggest that while Russia is critical of Western engagement in Central Asia, it is less so about China’s influence, possibly due to China’s perceived role as a ‘backseat partner’ in the region.

Central Asian states are managing a delicate balancing act, trying not to provoke Russia while also seeking to establish independent international trade and foreign policies with the West and China.

The geopolitical landscape of Central Asia is becoming increasingly complex, with the region caught between Russia, China, and the West.

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