Russia’s Security Council said the West is attempting to drive a wedge between Russia and Kazakhstan and other former Soviet republics. The statement further accused the West of trying to manipulate public opinion and the media. It said the US and its allies were using the internet and social networks to support nationalist sentiment and disrupt the dialogue between Russia and Central Asia. Russia has been trying to strengthen its ties with the former Soviet republics of Central Asia since the 2014 Ukraine crisis. The Security Council’s statement was a response to the US State Department's criticism of Russia’s “malign influence” in Central Asia. It claimed the US was trying to destabilize regimes in the region and exploit the region’s resources.

In July, Russia hosted a meeting of the Eurasian Economic Union, a regional economic bloc that includes Russia, Kazakhstan and other former Soviet republics. It is seen as a counterweight to the European Union. The Security Council’s statement also accused the US and its allies of trying to undermine Russia’s economic and political influence in Central Asia. It said the US and its allies were attempting to use economic and military aid to gain influence in the region and called for a unified response from Russia and its Central Asian partners. Russia's Security Council has accused the West of trying to drive a wedge between Kazakhstan and Russia. The statement, which was released on Friday, followed a visit by Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev to Kazakhstan. The visit was intended to strengthen Russia’s ties with the former Soviet republics of Central Asia. The statement accused the US and its allies of supporting nationalist sentiment and manipulating public opinion through the internet and social networks. It claimed the US was trying to destabilize regimes in the region and exploit the region’s resources. Russia has been trying to strengthen its ties with Central Asian countries since the Ukraine crisis of 2014.

The Security Council called for a unified response from Russia and its Central Asian partners. It said the US and its allies were attempting to use economic and military aid to gain influence in the region and undermine Russia’s economic and political influence. Kazakhstan has been Russia’s ally and close economic partner, but has sought to remain independent of Russia’s sphere of influence. The statement from Russia’s Security Council is a clear indication of the tensions between Russia and the West over interference in the affairs of sovereign nations. Russia is trying to strengthen its ties with Central Asian countries in order to counter the influence of the US and its allies in the region. At the same time, Kazakhstan is seeking to remain neutral and independent. It remains to be seen how this situation will develop in the future.