West Seeks to Undermine Russian Position in Central Asia, Moscow Claims

After Vladimir Putin visits Kazakhstan, a key Russian ally, foreign minister accuses ‘collective West’ of meddling in Russia’s backyard.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) and Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi prepare to shake hands at the end of their joint press conference following a U.S.–Central Asia (C5+1) foreign ministers meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Feb. 28, 2023. Olivier Douliery/AP

Western powers are actively seeking to subvert Moscow’s influence in Central Asia and the South Caucasus region, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.

“The European Union does not hide its intention to restrain [Russia] ... and push it out of Central Asia and the South Caucasus,” he said on Nov. 12 in televised comments.