In a recent press conference, Zakhar Prilepin, a former separatist warlord turned Russian lawmaker, made controversial comments calling for Moscow to annex Uzbekistan and other Central Asian nations where labor migrants come from. This statement was met with immediate rebuttals from Tashkent and Moscow, with Uzbek lawmaker Inomjon Kudratov calling it “insolent” and Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova emphasizing that it did not reflect Russia’s official position.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Central Asian nations have been re-evaluating their alliances with various global powers. Despite Western sanctions, Russia continues to try to maintain influence in the region, while Central Asian leaders seek to benefit economically and politically. China has offered substantial loans and investments at a summit in Xian, and the United States has engaged with regional leaders at the UN General Assembly.
The war in Ukraine has caused a shift in Central Asian governments’ perception of Russia’s foreign policy unpredictability. Kazakhstan, in particular, has stood out in its response, while other nations in the region have maintained political contacts with Russia despite the conflict. Overall, there is a pragmatic approach by Central Asian nations to extract maximum benefits from the situation without engaging in conflicts with key global players.
The situation surrounding the war in Ukraine has revealed the lasting influence of Russia’s soft power in Central Asia, with many residents still watching Kremlin-controlled television and consuming Russian news. This influence dates back to Czarist Russia’s conquest of the region and continues to be relevant today. Despite growing international awareness and Westernization, many Central Asians still align with Moscow’s narrative on the Ukraine conflict.
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