Conference at GWU on geopolitics in Central Asia

March 31, 2025

Agency down? Central Asian geopolitics amidst the full invasion of Ukraine and sanctions

The roundtable was conducted in an interactive format at the Georgetown University Russian Center on March 31, 2025. The conference was featured by the researcher from Kyrgyzstan, Asel Doolotgeldieva who gave a rundown on geopolitics of Central Asia. Representatives from the Center for Global Civic and Political Strategies actively participated in the discussion and emphasized the need for a more thorough examination of sanctions, advocating for in-depth research to assess their effectiveness. The Center for Global Civic and Political Strategies shared its latest report on sanctions evasion with the audience and the speakers. 

Three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, its influence in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan remains stable, though deeper geopolitical shifts are occurring. Moving beyond elite-centric perspectives, the discussion highlighted the importance of examining popular geopolitical imaginaries. While Central Asia witnessed pro-Ukraine protests in 2022, strong ties with Russia persist despite Western engagement. Key factors such as labor migration, an emerging urban middle class, and Russia-linked sanction evasion contribute to the evolving dynamics. Although Central Asian elites proceed cautiously, the legitimacy of their regimes continues to reinforce ties with Russia.