Last month Moscow snatched coveted energy diversification from Europe’s poor, shivering hands by getting the Kazakh president to promise continued gas exportation through Russian infrastructure. PINR comes to a conclusion I think we can all agree with:

Russia was the big winner in the agreement: Putin demonstrated his ability to outmaneuver Europe, sending another signal of Russia’s renewed ascendance; he reminded the world of Central Asia’s place under Moscow’s sphere of influence; and he ensured, at least for the foreseeable future, that Moscow will continue to benefit from Kazakhstan’s lucrative gas trade.

Michael Hall, International Crisis Group Central Asia Project Director, said it in last month’s ICG report on CA’s Energy Risks: “The international community needs to pay more attention to Central Asia as a security risk, without expecting it to solve its outside energy needs.” Regardless of the recent ‘Bashi-zation of Central Asia, it is clear the real ruler of Russia’s backyard still resides in the Kremlin.

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