Putin's Power Play: Defending Russia's Backyard and Cementing Ties with Neighbors

Russia is pushing back against Western efforts to build ties with Central Asia, a region traditionally seen as its own "backyard." Russian President Vladimir Putin is conducting a diplomatic push in Kazakhstan, aiming to maintain Russia's influence in the face of growing economic competition from China and rising geopolitical interest from the West. While Central Asian countries seek new partnerships, they also strive to keep Russia on their side. However, analysts note that Russia is gradually losing its grip on the region as the younger generation in Central Asia, which does not remember Soviet times, seeks self-sufficiency and change. If Russia does not change its approach, its influence in the region may wither away.