A senior Russian official has expressed alarm about American and European Union initiatives to gain access to valuable minerals in Central Asia, according to statements made to a Russian newspaper on May 20.
Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin shared these concerns with Izvestia newspaper, highlighting Moscow’s unease with Western activities in the region.
The G7 countries, which include the United States and European Union members, have been seeking new sources for essential materials as they work to reduce their reliance on China. These rare earth elements and critical minerals are crucial components in electric vehicle production, clean energy technologies, and military equipment.
Moscow views the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan as falling within its area of influence, even as Beijing has also expanded its presence in the mineral-rich region.
“We are concerned by the intensity with which Washington is pushing agreements on critical minerals and rare earth metals,” Galuzin stated during his interview published on Wednesday.
“This is not merely about economic competition, but about an attempt to push Russia out and create a Western-controlled infrastructure in the immediate vicinity of our borders,” he added.
The competition for these resources gained additional attention when U.S. President Donald Trump highlighted critical minerals as a major focus during a November meeting with Central Asian leaders at the White House. During that gathering, he stressed his administration’s commitment to strengthening American supply chains through international partnerships.
