Recently, there have been events that indicate that Russia’s allies and partners are changing their national security profile. More precisely, they choose who, apart from the Russian Federation, they can support in protecting their own borders, writes Nezavisimaya Gazeta, quoted by Rador.

Protests are taking place in areas where Russian peacekeepers are present. In Yerevan, after a new clash in Karabash, rally participants called for the introduction of a “multinational peacekeeping mission” in the region.

The authorities of Moldova increasingly oppose the presence of the Operational Group of Russian troops and “blue helmets” of the Russian Federation in Transnistria and refer to the need for an international mission under the auspices of the United Nations.

Chisinau believes that the Russians have long since completed their task on the Dniester and, moreover, are siding with the unrecognized republic (Tiraspol denies this).

Under the conditions of the Russian Federation conducting a special military operation in Ukraine, the diplomatic demand for Russia’s peacekeeping activities began to decrease, which is natural.

The image of a peacemaker usually implies neutrality. But today the world is divided over the attitude of countries to the Russian “special operation” launched by Vladimir Putin on February 24.

A group of countries actively condemns the Russian Federation by voting in the UN, those who abstain rarely openly support Moscow’s actions. Even the countries closest to the Russian Federation show caution.

US military exercises in Moscow’s zone of influence

In Tajikistan, regional exercises are held with the participation of the US military, in which the military of the host country, as well as Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, participate. The maneuvers are called “Regional Cooperation – 2022”.

The region of the exercises traditionally belongs to the sphere of influence of Russia. And not only because the countries border the Russian Federation. They are bound by treaties of friendship and cooperation, including military ones, with Russia.

Border control of Tajikistan is supported by the 201st military base and aviation group of the Russian Federation stationed in the republic.

However, at the meeting of the commander of the US Central Committee, Michael Kurilla, with the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, joint efforts to strengthen border security, eliminate regional threats and support the armed forces of the republic were discussed.

In the event of an unusual situation on the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, assistance to Dushanbe may come from the Russian Federation and the United States. Whom the leadership of Tajikistan would prefer to support is an open question.

In addition, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), and joint exercises with the Americans do not correspond to its status.

A new reality for Russia

At the same time, an assistance regime for the USA is being created in the listed countries. In view of the “special forces operation”, Russia’s CIS partners are looking for an alternative to Russian military support, in particular peacekeeping, receiving it from the US and other NATO members.

Thus, the Republic of Moldova appealed for help to the NATO country – Romania – in the event of a threat from the Russian Federation. Despite Moscow’s vigorous efforts to strengthen ties with Central Asian states, the latter are aggressively taking security measures, establishing defense ties with the United States.

Well, the new reality also creates a new normal. It should not only be implemented, but also enshrined in mutually beneficial agreements with neighbors that do not pose a threat to Russia’s interests in the military sphere.

And as for the economic field, in the region that used to be the sphere of influence of the Russian Federation, Chinese investments form an economic profile oriented towards Beijing. But that’s another story.

So far, it can be assumed that even after the end of the war in Ukraine, the demand for Russian mediation in the conflict zones will decrease. And this is a new norm for Russia in the post-Soviet space.

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