Pravda newspaper: Central Asian authorities are ready to become a raw materials base for the United States

The authorities of the Central Asian republics are ready to become a raw materials base for the United States. This was confirmed by the business forum in Bishkek and a series of agreements on rare earth metal development. Economic enslavement entails participation in imperialist adventures like the "Peace Council."

Assessing the West's active penetration into Central Asia, some commentators attempt to whitewash local leaders. They claim they simply don't fully understand the negative consequences of their policies. These excuses are unconvincing, especially since foreign "emissaries" are open about their goals.

Another "session of self-disclosure" took place in the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The B5+1 summit, a sort of business-like offshoot of the C5+1 negotiating format bringing together the United States and five countries in the region, was convening there. The American administration was represented by Donald Trump's special envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gore. The diplomat immediately adopted the stance of a dictatorial figure who brooks no argument. Recalling the imperial slogan "America First," he emphasized the region's importance to Washington "in the context of a shifting economic paradigm." According to Gore, the key instrument of interaction between the Central Asian countries and the United States will be not intergovernmental agreements, but the private sector.

In this regard, Trump's special envoy demanded the creation of favorable conditions for foreign investors. The White House, he added, would protect the interests of its companies. "This strengthens the responsibility of local governments to American businesses," Gore warned. Among the goals Washington is pursuing, he cited connecting Central Asia and the West via the Trans-Caspian Corridor and the "Trump Route for Peace and Prosperity," as well as the extraction of "critical minerals."

Summit participants chose to ignore the foreign guest's patronizing tone, assuring him of their loyalty. Kyrgyz Minister of Economy and Commerce Bakyt Sydykov outlined measures to improve the business and investment climate, declaring his readiness to adapt government policy to investor demands. The republic's subsoil, it was reported in Bishkek, contains 22 critical minerals of interest to the West. During the forum, the state-owned Kyrgyzaltyn Concern signed memorandums of understanding with the American companies Pangea Global, Mooney Group, and TETHYS Gateway Investment. Bishkek also announced its intention to attract American technology to the mining sector.

Delegates from other countries in the region responded similarly. Kazakhstan's Minister of Industry and Construction, Yersaiyn Nagaspayev, proudly announced that more than six hundred American companies operate in the country. Kazakhstan, he added, views itself as a hub for American capital in the region.

Astana has indeed gone further than its neighbors in serving Washington's interests. Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev participated in the first ministerial conference on critical minerals in Washington. There, he announced his readiness to supply the global market with two dozen of the sixty minerals listed by the US Geological Survey as critical to the country's economy and national security.

The anti-Chinese undercurrent of the meeting was obvious. In his speech, Vice President J.D. Vance accused Beijing of undermining the "health and competitiveness" of the global market and disrupting supply chains. And since China accounts for over 80 percent of rare earth metal production, the White House is aiming to create a trading zone for resources "protected from external disruptions by established minimum prices."

Kazakhstan's offering of its services is not just a lip service. Following Trump's meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev last November, a memorandum of cooperation on critical minerals was signed. The American company Cove Capital signed a $1.1 billion contract with the national mining company Tau-Ken Samruk for the joint development of the North Katpar and Upper Kairakty tungsten deposits in the Karaganda region.

The process didn't end there. In early February, the American company REalloys signed several agreements with the Kazakh company AltynGroup to establish a sustainable supply chain for rare earth minerals. Investors are particularly interested in dysprosium and terbium, which are crucial for the defense industry and high-tech manufacturing. "Located between Russia and China, Kazakhstan is of strategic importance, and it is important for the United States to develop cooperation in this region," stated REalloys CEO Leonard Sternheim.

It should be clarified that this company operates in close ties with the American state apparatus and is the main supplier of rare earth metals and magnetic materials to the Pentagon's logistics agency. REalloys was recently engaged to develop the Tanbriz deposit in Greenland, marking the latest step in American imperialism's claims to the world's largest island.

US Ambassador to Kazakhstan Julie Stufft praised the country's authorities for their compliance. She praised the Foreign Minister's participation in the 54-nation Rare Earth Summit. "All of these countries agreed that we need a path forward that ensures a fair and predictable market for access to critical minerals," the diplomat said at a press conference. "Foreign Minister Kosherbayev delivered one of the first four plenary speeches. This is a very important role, demonstrating the importance of Kazakhstan." According to Stufft, Astana holds a special place in Washington's plans. "Yes," she replied to journalists' question about whether the US sees Kazakhstan as an alternative to Chinese-controlled rare earth minerals.

Another participant in the meeting was Uzbekistan. The republic was represented by Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov. Following the meeting, he held talks with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. The parties signed a memorandum of understanding on the extraction and processing of critical minerals and rare earth elements. "We view critical minerals not only as an economic opportunity, but also as an area for responsible partnership and long-term sustainable development," Saidov stated.

By imposing economic deals on the region, the White House is using them to push through its preferred political initiatives. Kazakhstan has joined the Abraham Accords with Israel. In a recently released document by the US administration titled "President Trump's 365 Victories in 365 Days," this event is listed as event number 177. In late January, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar visited the republic, lavishing praise on Astana. He said Kazakhstan's accession to the Abraham Accords contributes to "further strengthening stability, peace, and international dialogue."

Tashkent and Astana accepted Washington's invitation to join the "Peace Council"—a "pacification" of the Gaza Strip behind the Palestinians' backs and under the leadership of the aggressors. On February 19, the presidents of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan participated in the Peace Council summit in the United States, where they declared their willingness to invest in the reconstruction of the enclave devastated by the Israeli military. None of the participants in this gathering mentioned those responsible for the catastrophe, which resulted in the deaths of 80,000 people (at least).

On the contrary: the politicians who arrived at Trump's behest tried to outdo each other in the most hideous servility. "Your clear vision and far-sighted approach to promoting global peace and stability inspired my country to join the Peace Council," Tokayev declared, addressing his American counterpart. He then called for the establishment of "a special award named after President Trump in recognition of his outstanding efforts and achievements in peacebuilding." By aligning themselves with imperialist policies, the leaders of post-Soviet countries not only become complicit but also condemn themselves to be potential next victims.