The Role of Russia in Shaping Central Asian Geopolitics Post-Soviet Union

Abstract

This article analyzes the role of Russia in shaping the geopolitical landscape of Central Asia after the collapse of the Soviet Union. It focuses on how Russia’s foreign policy towards its former Soviet republics, particularly Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, has evolved since 1991. The research examines Russia’s strategic interests in Central Asia, including its focus on energy resources, regional security, and maintaining influence in what it views as its "near abroad." The study discusses Russia’s attempts to preserve its dominance through organizations such as the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). Using both diplomatic documents and academic sources, the article explores how Russia's policies have been shaped by both historical ties and contemporary geopolitical challenges. It concludes by assessing how Russia’s role in Central Asia is being redefined in the context of growing Chinese and American influence in the region.