ALMATY: US President Donald Trump is set to host his first-ever summit with the leaders of five Central Asian nations on Thursday, marking a significant diplomatic move as global powers compete for sway in the resource-rich region.
The meeting comes after a year of intense geopolitical attention on Central Asia, with visits from EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The region—comprising Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—has become a focal point for global influence since Moscow’s grip weakened following its invasion of Ukraine.
Washington’s renewed engagement builds on the “C5+1” format, established to strengthen ties between the US and the five nations. The Biden administration first launched the US-Central Asia summit in 2023 to deepen cooperation on energy, security, and trade.
Central Asian states, once deeply tied to Moscow, are now seeking balanced partnerships. China remains a dominant economic player through major infrastructure investments, while Turkey leverages cultural and linguistic ties to expand military and trade relations.
The West’s interest is driven by the region’s vast untapped reserves of natural gas, minerals, and rare earth elements—resources seen as key to reducing dependency on Beijing.
As the five nations increasingly present a united diplomatic front, Trump’s summit underscores Washington’s determination to secure a stronger foothold in the evolving geopolitical landscape of Central Asia.
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