Central Asian Leaders Signal Shift in Alliances, Praising Trump and seeking Stronger US Ties
WASHINGTON – Central Asian leaders are increasingly looking to the United States for economic and political partnership, signaling a potential shift away from traditional reliance on Russia and China. This comes as trade with China now significantly surpasses that with Russia in the region - reaching $94.8 billion in 2024 compared to $45 billion with Russia – and trade with the US has doubled in the last five years to $4.2 billion.
According to a New York Times report, Central asian leaders “feel much more comfortable working with Trump,” valuing his transactional approach to diplomacy. “You can make deals with him – and nothing but deals,” said Temur Umarov, a researcher at the Carnegie Center in Berlin.
The shift is also driven by a perceived easing of tensions between the US and both Russia and China, creating an opportunity for Central Asian nations to leverage closer ties with Washington. “Trump has changed the balance of power…closer ties and cooperation with Washington give them leverage in relations with Moscow and Beijing,” the NYT reported.
Kazakhstan‘s President Tokayev has been especially effusive in his praise of Trump, stating, “You are a great leader, sent by heaven to bring back the common sense and traditions we all support and cherish… Under your leadership, America is entering a new golden age.” Trump responded by calling a visit to kazakhstan “very possible.”
Tokayev also suggested Russian President Vladimir Putin may be constrained in pursuing territorial claims due to domestic public opinion, noting Putin’s august proposal to freeze the front line in Ukraine as a sign of “maximum flexibility.” He further indicated Kazakhstan is prepared to host peace conversations between Ukraine and Russia.
Some observers believe the overtures to Trump are linked to securing a potential summit between Putin and Trump to discuss ending the war in Ukraine,with Kazakhstan seen as a favorable location for such a meeting.
