6
Washington is placing a call to the C5, with President Donald Trump seeking to build new bridges in Russia’s traditional backyard through a summit on November 6.
This diplomatic initiative, confirmed by the leaders of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, is a clear sign that the US is stepping up its game in the region.
The timing is no accident. Russia’s influence has been damaged by the Ukraine war, creating a diplomatic vacuum that China, the EU, and the US are all rushing to fill.
The region is rich in rare earths and has ambitions to become a major logistics hub, making it highly attractive to global powers.
This summit is Washington’s play to offer an alternative partnership, countering the influence of its main rivals, Moscow and Beijing.