Russia is out of geopolitical game

After Putin's statement back in 2014 at the "Seliger" forum, where he declared that "the Kazakhs had no statehood, and Nazarbayev created a state on territory where it had never existed," it is quite natural that Kazakhstan is increasingly looking around in search of partners and support. Of course, China is closer. But is China capable of entering into direct conflict with Moscow if the Kremlin leadership decides that it needs to "grab" something in Asia as well, since it's not working out with Europe? Doubtful, very doubtful.

The same question is being asked by other post-Soviet republics from Central Asia, which are not thrilled with the prospect of finding themselves in the role of Moscow's vassals. Azerbaijan and Armenia have long been moving on a course of "away from Russia" after the complete failure of Russia's "peacekeeping mission." Because such "peacekeeping" cost these countries too dearly.

It is very telling that during the summit with Central Asian countries, Donald Trump raised the question of the use of military bases in the region by the U.S. Air Force — Karshi-Khanabad (which was already used by Americans in the early 2000s in Uzbekistan) and in the city of Mary (Turkmenistan). Likewise, Kazakhstan is ready for proposals of cooperation in the military sphere and the building of new partnership security relations with the U.S.

"All of this is an indicator that the processes currently taking place in the world are affecting the interests of an ever-growing number of players who previously would have preferred not to determine which side to support."

The geopolitical game has become not simply non-linear, but absolutely unsystematic and chaotic, when major players are trying to use their position to acquire tools for potential confrontations in the future. And the inevitable clash between the U.S. and China is causing not just ripples on the water, affecting new interests and regions, but is pushing players toward unambiguous bipolar alignment.

And where is Russia in all this? It's nowhere to be found.

While it is bogged down in the war against Ukraine, Moscow is losing the remnants of its influence and any chances of remaining a serious geopolitical player — despite Putin's delusions.

In this place, it has already disgracefully lost to China.

Source

About the author. Viktor Shlinchak, Chairman of the Board of the Institute of World Politics.

The editorial staff does not always share the opinions expressed by blog authors.