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Agence France-Presse

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the European Union of attempting to drive Russia out of Central Asia, and said the bloc was failing, in an interview broadcast on Sunday.
Moscow’s sway over a region it considers its sphere of influence has waned since the offensive in Ukraine, with Europe, Russia, China, Turkey and Iran all vying for influence in Central Asia.
“The European Union isn’t hiding its intentions to restrain [Russia] in every possible way and push it out of Central Asia and the South Caucasus,” Lavrov said.
“These attempts are futile. We have been historically present there and are not going to disappear,” he said.
Russia dismisses Ukraine peace plan: ‘Let’s decide it on the battlefield’
Lavrov was giving an interview on the sidelines of a visit to Kazakhstan this week, during which Russian President Vladimir Putin met his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The Russian leadership’s trip to Kazakhstan came a week after a separate visit to the country by French President Emmanuel Macron.
The French leader had praised a country “which refuses to be at the bottom of the subjugation of a few powers,” an implied reference to Russia.
Lavrov responded, saying Macron’s statements were “quite brazen, for diplomatic language.”


Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Western countries were investing in Central Asia for the sake of ousting Russia.
Former Soviet republics in Central Asia – which are seeking to diversify their international partnerships – saw a flurry of diplomatic activity this week, including with the Turkish and Iranian leaders visiting Uzbekistan.


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Russia

EU will not ‘push’ Russia out of Central Asia, says Russian foreign minister

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

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Russian President Vladimir Putin meets China’s General Zhang Youxia at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on Wednesday. Photo: Sputnik via Reuters

China’s General Zhang Youxia and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu attend an official welcome ceremony in Moscow on Wednesday. Photo: Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP

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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Chinese President Xi Jinping have cemented their relationship at the third belt and road forum. EPA-EFE/Xinhua

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China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Iran’s Foreign Minister: “The right to self-defence should be exercised in compliance with international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and hostages”. Photo: AFP

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian spoke to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi by phone on Sunday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Russia’s Sergey Lavrov dismisses Ukraine peace plan: ‘Let’s decide it on the battlefield’

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov responds to a question during a press conference following his address to the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday. Photo: AFP

News

World

Russia & Central Asia

‘The EU isn’t hiding its intentions to push [Russia] out of Central Asia … These attempts are futile,’ said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov
Moscow’s sway over region it considers its sphere of influence has waned since Ukraine war with China, Europe, Russia, Turkey and Iran vying for influence


‘The European Union isn’t hiding its intentions to push [Russia] out of Central Asia and the South Caucasus. These attempts are futile,’ said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in an interview broadcast on Sunday.
