Washington has reportedly set a date for high-stakes talks with Central Asia, inviting the five regional leaders for a summit with the president on November 6.
The leaders of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have already confirmed their attendance, according to their offices. This move marks a significant increase in US engagement.
The timing is critical. The summit follows similar meetings hosted by China, the EU, and Russia, all of whom are competing for influence in the resource-rich region.
Russia’s long-held dominance has been precarious since its invasion of Ukraine, prompting the C5 to seek a wider range of economic and political partners.
The region, home to 80 million people, is not only rich in minerals but is also working to become a vital logistics corridor for East-West trade.
