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

Published on November 13, 2023

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 asserted on Nov. 12. “But these attempts are futile,” Mr. Lavrov said in televised comments. Russia, he went on to claim, “has been historically present [in both regions] and will not disappear.” Mr. Lavrov made the remarks following recent visits to Central Asia by both Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron....