ANALYSIS | VLADIMIR PUTIN'S GUIDE TO ALIENATING ALLIES'
0Analysis | Vladimir Putin's Guide to Alienating Allies'
It was evident that the devastating attack on Ukraine distracted the Kremlin from its other interests. It facilitated the simmering of hostilities. including between Tajikistan and neighboring Kyrgyzstan. Elsewhere. tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan have also flared up. And yet. January's show of force. when troops from the Russian led Collective Security Treaty Organization were flown to Kazakhstan to help restore order after street protests. will not be repeated.Central Asia remains linked to Russia by fundamentals like trade and pipelines. and that will change will not change overnight. Kazakhstan. for all careful diplomatic considerations. is dependent on Russia for its main oil export route. And Moscow has long been able to use cultural and historical ties with elites to offset an inability to focus on infrastructure diplomas omatia and economic persuasion based on the Chinese model. But Soviet memories fade. especially when an invasion and economy damaging sanctions go hand in hand. Kazakhstan alone said earlier this month that more than 200.000 Russians had entered the country. Worse. Russian recruiters have tried to trawl Central Asian migrants to replenish military numbers. promising them generous salaries and citizenships but also resorting to threats of deportation and widespread deception. It's important to note that Rahmon is by no means the only one pushing back he's just the latest. Kazakh leader Kassym Jomart Tokayev. sitting next to Putin at a flagship event in St. Petersburg in June. said he would not recognize the self proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics in eastern Ukraine. He banned Russian propaganda symbols and canceled the May 9 Victory Parade.'
#news