Three years after Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine, its influence in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan appears stable, yet deeper shifts are underway. Drawing on critical geopolitics and fieldwork, we argue for moving beyond elite-centric views to examine popular geopolitical imaginaries. While Central Asia saw pro-Ukraine protests in 2022, ties with Russia remain strong despite Western engagement. Labor migration, a rising urban middle class, and Russia-linked sanction evasion shape shifting entanglements. Elites tread carefully, but regime legitimacy keeps Russia ties firm. |
