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Putin Heads to Central Asia amid Waning Russian Influence
Oct 08, 2025Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit Tajikistan this week for a high-level summit with Central Asian leaders, as Moscow seeks to reassert its influence in a region where its traditional dominance has steadily declined.
The summit, scheduled for Thursday in Dushanbe, marks only the second time since the fall of the Soviet Union that the leaders of all five Central Asian republics — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan — will meet collectively with the Russian president. Putin is expected to arrive in the Tajik capital on Wednesday.
Russia’s grip on Central Asia has weakened significantly in recent years, particularly since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The war has not only strained Russia’s economy and military resources but has also eroded its standing among former Soviet allies.
At the inaugural summit in 2022, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon publicly criticized Putin, accusing Moscow of neglecting the region and failing to treat Central Asian states with respect. That rare public rebuke underscored growing frustration with Russia’s perceived indifference to its southern neighbors.
Since then, other global powers have moved quickly to fill the vacuum. China has deepened its economic and political footprint through infrastructure investment and energy partnerships under its Belt and Road Initiative. The European Union has also ramped up engagement, viewing Central Asia as a strategic partner in securing alternative energy sources and rare earth minerals.
Despite these shifts, Russia remains a key player in the region due to historical ties, shared security concerns, and ongoing economic cooperation. Analysts suggest that Putin’s visit is aimed at shoring up relations and signaling that Moscow is not ready to cede its traditional sphere of influence.
The summit will focus on regional security, trade, and energy cooperation. However, much attention will also be on the tone of the discussions and whether Central Asian leaders take a more assertive stance, as they balance relations with multiple global powers.
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