C5+1 Multilateral Meeting in New York City by U.S. Department of State / Flickr
CV NEWS FEED // As the U.S. presidential election approaches, Central Asian nations — Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan — are closely watching the race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, according to a report from AsiaNews.
The outcome is expected to have a significant impact on the political and economic landscape of these former Soviet republics, as leaders recognize the potential for changes in U.S. foreign policy that could affect their futures.
In particular, the Central Asian countries are attentive to how the next U.S. president will approach the ongoing war in Ukraine. Harris has expressed her intention to support Ukraine during her presidency, with no specifics given on her platform yet. It’s been widely reported that Trump has said he could resolve the conflict “in 24 hours.”
The “5+1” contact format, established in the early 2000s to enhance U.S. relations with Central Asia, is also under scrutiny, according to AsiaNews. This format, which includes the heads of state from these countries, has aimed to address issues stemming from the Soviet legacy and the geopolitical realities following the 9/11 attacks.
Kazakhstan’s former President Nursultan Nazarbayev had the opportunity to meet five different U.S. presidents during his tenure. His successor, Kasym-Žomart Tokaev, has actively sought cooperation with the U.S. in various sectors, including trade and artificial intelligence, AsiaNews reported.
In 2023, the five Central Asian presidents convened with President Joe Biden, primarily discussing energy security and the implications of sanctions against Russia. Russia remains influential in the region, with regular visits between Central Asian leaders and Russian officials, including Vladimir Putin, AsiaNews reported.
With Trump’s prior experience in interacting with Central Asian leaders, observers note a contrast with Harris, who has not held similar engagements.
According to AsiaNews, experts suggest that neither Trump nor Harris has signaled plans to continue the 5+1 summits. Harris may be less inclined to pursue them due to her emphasis on human rights, an area the leaders of the former Soviet republics are “unwilling to address outside of their own context.” This reluctance was evident during their 2023 meeting with Biden, where human rights issues were notably avoided.
