Moscow is concerned about Joe Biden’s letter to the leaders of Central Asian countries

According to media reports, U.S. President Joe Biden has sent official invitations to the presidents of Central Asian countries to participate in the C5+1 summit (five Central Asian countries + the U.S.).

It is reported that the next summit involving the leaders of Central Asian countries is scheduled to take place during the upcoming UN General Assembly in September 2023.

In response to Biden’s invitation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that “the West is pressuring Russia’s allies to break ties with it, but Moscow is taking countermeasures.”

“Indeed, partners in the EAEU and CSTO are experiencing immense pressure from unfriendly states. High-ranking officials from Western capitals are regularly visiting them for “consultations” on issues of “countering the circumvention” of illegitimate anti-Russian sanctions,” Lavrov noted.

Since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Western countries have imposed extensive sanctions against Russia.

Currently, Russia views the expansion of cooperation between Western countries and Central Asian countries as an attempt to turn the leadership of these countries against Russia. Additionally, Russian authorities believe that during meetings, Western countries regularly pressure the leaders of Central Asian countries not to assist Russia in circumventing sanctions that Moscow considers “illegitimate.”