Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin has stated that Moscow is concerned about the activity of Washington and Brussels aimed at gaining access to rare earth and critical minerals in Central Asian countries.
A number of states, including the United States and EU members, are seeking to diversify their rare earth supply chains — materials essential for electric vehicle production, renewable energy development, and defence manufacturing. China currently dominates these supply chains, and the G7 is exploring new markets and support mechanisms to reduce dependence on Beijing.
Russia regards Central Asia as a zone of its strategic interests, while China is also paying increasing attention to the region.
“We are concerned about the intensity with which Washington is promoting critical mineral and rare earth agreements,” Galuzin said. In his view, this amounts to an attempt to push Russia out of the region and build a managed infrastructure close to Russian borders.
It is worth recalling that in November 2025, the US President identified critical minerals as a key priority during a meeting with the leaders of five Central Asian states at the White House, emphasising that his administration was seeking to expand and secure US supply chains through new global agreements.
A geopolitical contest for Central Asia’s resources is taking shape. For the countries of the region, this creates opportunities to attract investment and develop their own mining industries — but also forces them to navigate between major competing powers.
Source: Izvestia
Image: Max Zolotukhin
