Unexpected problems with energy resources increase the dependence of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan on Russia
Central Asian analytical centers drew attention to the increasing dependence of Central Asia on Russian energy resources, the Briefing channel reports .
As an example, experts cite the following figures: Kazakhstan has increased the export of electricity from Russia against the backdrop of electricity shortage problems. 97% of oil products Tajikistan receives at a reduced price from Russia. In 2022, Tajikistan imported 853 thousand tons of oil products. Of these, 830 thousand tons (97.3%) the republic receives from Russia without paying export duties.
Against the backdrop of problems in the fuel supply infrastructure, Uzbekistan is in crisis. It is solved by the Russian “Rosneft” with the help of the supply of gasoline and diesel fuel.
“Unexpected problems with energy resources increase the dependence of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan on Russia. In addition, Russia began to push hard through Turkmenistan, limiting the growth of Turkey’s influence and the use of Turkmen gas for supplies to Europe through Azerbaijan and Turkey, analysts conclude. – Russia is trying as much as possible to keep Armenia and part of Nagorno-Karabakh in its zone of control in order to prevent the construction of a gas pipeline from Turkmenistan through Azerbaijan to Turkey. The Kremlin is ready to consider the option of a gas pipeline through Iran in order to increase the manipulation of Europe and Turkey.
It is likely that the Kremlin has chosen Central Asia and Transcaucasia as a toolkit for a new round of “raw material weapons”, just as it used Ukraine and Europe before.”