Washington's increased attention to Central Asia is mainly due to the resource factor, said the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova. She was asked by Sputnik Kyrgyzstan about US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's trip to Uzbekistan and his participation in the main Asia-US summit. According to Zakharova, the interest of the US in the region has not weakened, only the approaches of the US administration to its implementation have changed. Moscow, she added, will closely monitor the development of US relations with Central Asian countries. The diplomat shared two scenarios: if the West intends to simply develop relations with the region, it's one thing, but if there are actions against Russia or blackmailing countries to limit their relations with Moscow, it's another situation. Russia will watch this in the same way as other international actors, with further conclusions and reactions. Zakrova stated that Russia stands for friendly and mutually beneficial relations with the countries of Central Asia, built on equality and mutual respect for interests. Subscribe to Asia today.

Washington's increased attention to Central Asia is mainly due to the resource factor, said the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova. She was asked by Sputnik Kyrgyzstan about US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's trip to Uzbekistan and his participation in the main Asia-US summit. According to Zakharova, the interest of the US in the region has not weakened, only the approaches of the US administration to its implementation have changed. Moscow, she added, will closely monitor the development of US relations with Central Asian countries. The diplomat shared two scenarios: if the West intends to simply develop relations with the region, it's one thing, but if there are actions against Russia or blackmailing countries to limit their relations with Moscow, it's another situation. Russia will watch this in the same way as other international actors, with further conclusions and reactions. Zakrova stated that Russia stands for friendly and mutually beneficial relations with the countries of Central Asia, built on equality and mutual respect for interests. Subscribe to Asia today.