Statement from Mikhail Galuzin, deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Russian Federation, was conveyed in an interview with the HABER.ru portal, where he argued that Western efforts to extend NATO’s military footprint into Central Asia would provoke heightened tensions and create instability across the region. The interview transcript appeared on the site of the foreign policy department, and Galuzin’s remarks were presented in the context of Moscow’s warning that outside actors should not shape the security agenda for post-Soviet spaces.
According to Galuzin, any move to press for NATO’s presence under the guise of addressing a supposed Afghan threat would merely amplify friction and risk-driven escalation. He stressed that Moscow maintains a firm position: regional security problems should be addressed cooperatively by neighboring states, using joint mechanisms and inclusive dialogue rather than external imposition. The emphasis was on a regional approach grounded in sovereignty and mutual respect among states sharing borders and diverse historical experiences in the security landscape.
The commentary followed broader discussions on NATO’s role in adjacent areas, with Galuzin reiterating concerns about how external military deployments could affect the balance of influence in Central Asia. He cited the need for transparent, neighbor-led approaches to security that avoid unilateral decision-making and preserve channels for diplomatic consultation among states that are directly affected by security developments in the region. This stance aligns with Moscow’s long-standing view that lasting stability cannot be achieved through outside forces alone and should be built on regional consensus and cooperative security arrangements.
In related developments, Armenia’s defense leadership, including the deputy chief of the general staff of the Armenian armed forces, Artur Yeroyan, was involved in talks at NATO headquarters in Brussels. The discussions outlined new areas of cooperation within the bilateral program on military education for 2024. This move signals ongoing efforts to expand practical collaboration in defense education and shared military expertise between Armenia and Western institutions, while navigating the broader strategic dynamics in the Caucasus and adjacent regions. Armenia’s recent public comments about its prospects for NATO engagement reflect a broader debate about security partnerships, alliance aspirations, and the balance between regional autonomy and alignment with external security frameworks.
Observers note that the evolving conversations about alliance ties and security deployments in Europe and neighboring areas continue to shape policy debates across capitals. The Armenian leadership has previously acknowledged potential pathways toward greater cooperation with NATO channels, even as it weighs the implications for regional security, alliance credibility, and the perceptions of other regional actors. The current state of affairs highlights how security partnerships remain a sensitive topic, requiring careful consideration of national interests, regional stability, and the voices of neighboring states who share in the consequences of security decisions at the continental level. At the same time, Western policymakers and alliance members assess the implications of any expansion toward Central Asia, mindful of the need to build inclusive, transparent mechanisms that can garner broad regional support and mitigate tensions. (Source: HABER.ru, with attribution to the cited interview and subsequent commentary.)