Page 12 - The Indian EYE 052022

OPINION MAY 20, 2022 | The Indian Eye 12

Central Asia and the Ukraine Crisis:

A CHALLENGE TO RUSSIAN

INFLUENCE IN THE REGION

Russia’s involvement in the conflict has led to it being one of the most sanctioned nations in the world. These sanctions
against the Russian economy will have direct implications for Central Asian states. Their economies are highly dependent on

Russia for remittances, as well as for the strength of their currencies

further abstained in the UNGA on stain or not vote in all the UNGA ident Qasym-Jomart Tokayev, like
JASON WAHLANG
resolutions introduced by Ukraine resolutions. There was, however, his predecessor Nursultan Nazarba-
demanding non-recognition of the one exception. On 8 April 2022, yev offered to act as a mediator to
ussia enjoys significant eco- changes in status of Crimea. when the UNGA decided to vote bring about peace in the region.10
nomic, political and societal
In the current crisis, these states
Rinfluence in Central Asian have taken a neutral stance. They out Russia from the Human Rights Kazakhstan has also been vocal
about its stand not to recognize the
Council, four Central Asian states
countries—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz- have neither condemned Russia’s voted in support of Russia, apart two breakaway regions of Ukraine—
stan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and special military operation nor en- from Turkmenistan. Luhansk and Donetsk. These policy
Turkmenistan. The region is highly dorsed it. They also choose to ab- On 1 March 2022, Kazakh Pres- measures are again reminiscent of its
dependent on Russia for its export stance during the Crimean Crisis of
routes, security assistance and labor 2014.
markets. These factors have ensured
that Central Asian states, known for
their multi-vector foreign policies, While Kazakhstan has main-
have had to walk a tightrope re- tained a neutral stance diplo-
garding their stand on Russia’s on-
going ‘special military operation’ in matically, its population has
Ukraine. shown discontent towards
Central Asian countries have
also been cautious in their stance Russian policies in the Ukraine
on Russia’s past military activities in crisis. Reports flag that the Ka-
Crimea. All of these countries ab-
stained in the United Nations Gen- zakhs have a sense of fear that
eral Assembly (UNGA) resolutions they could be the next post-So-
on the issue. Kyrgyzstan was notable
in taking a contradictory stand vis-à- viet state that could be in Rus-
vis Moscow with regard to recogniz- sia’s radar.
ing Viktor Yanukovych as the pres-
ident of Ukraine. Kazakhstan was This fear stems from the pres-
also the most active among these ence of a Russian minority popu-
nations and even offered to host Russian President Vladimir Putin
negotiations to resolve the issue. It Continued at next page... >>

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