Russia Worries Over US and EU Pursuit of Rare Earths in Central Asia
Geopolitical Competition for Critical Minerals in Central Asia
Russia's Concerns Over Western Activities
May 20 (Reuters) - Russia is concerned by U.S. and European Union efforts to secure access to rare earths and critical minerals in Central Asia, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told Izvestia newspaper.
Efforts to Diversify Away from China
In an attempt to diversify from China, which dominates rare earths supply chains vital for technologies such as electric vehicles, renewable energy and defence systems, the G7 nations, including the U.S. and EU, have been exploring alternative markets and support tools to reduce their dependence on Beijing.
Central Asia as a Strategic Region
Russia considers the resource-rich Central Asian nations - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - its sphere of interest at a time when China has also been increasingly turning its attention to the region.
Statements from Russian Officials
Galuzin's Interview with Izvestia
"We are concerned by the intensity with which Washington is pushing agreements on critical minerals and rare earth metals," Galuzin told Izvestia in an interview published on Wednesday.
Implications for Russia's Influence
"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."
US Initiatives in Central Asia
Trump Administration's Focus on Critical Minerals
U.S. President Donald Trump called critical minerals a key priority as he hosted the leaders of five Central Asian nations at the White House in November, emphasising his administration's efforts to expand and secure U.S. supply chains through new global agreements.
(Reporting by Jekaterīna Golubkova in Tokyo; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)