Geopolitical Changes in Central Asia Following the Russia-Ukraine War: Focusing on Kyrgyzstan’s Strategy of ‘Multi-Vector Diplomacy’

The five Central Asian countries (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan) continue to maintain economic, socio-cultural and security ties with Russia, even after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. And as the newly independent states, they have also forged relationships with various global powers such as China, the United States, and the European Union. However, the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian War in February 2022 has strained the Central Asian countries' relations with Russia and increased the global powers’ geopolitical interest in and access to Central Asia. This paper presents an in-depth analysis of Kyrgyzstan’s multi-vector diplomacy and examines the geopolitical changes in Central Asia following the outbreak of Russian-Ukrainian War. Even in the wake of the war’s impact, the five Central Asian countries have maintained strong relations with Russia while avoiding to support its aggression. In addition, they have actively pursued multi-lateral and bilateral exchanges with other partners, not only in security field, but also in economic fields, including trade. Furthermore, significant efforts have been made to enhance reciprocal relations and strengthen solidarity among the Central Asian countries. Kyrgyzstan is striving to resolve border conflicts and expand friendly relations with its neighboring countries for the integration and safety of Central Asia. Moreover, Kyrgyzstan is strengthening its pragmatic multi-vector diplomacy with major partners beyond Russia, including China, the United States, the European Union, and Turkiye. This study concludes that Kyrgyzstan’s multi-vector diplomacy strategy positively contributes to developing a comprehensive and strategic understanding of the country in all areas, including security.