Russia Says West Is Highlighting Afghanistan Threat to Justify Military Presence in Central Asia
A senior Russian security official has said Western countries are trying to pave the way for the creation of military infrastructure in Central Asia by emphasizing threats coming from Afghanistan.
Alexey Shchetsov, deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council, made the remarks at a meeting on the security environment of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum. He said the worsening economic situation had not prevented Western efforts to what he described as destabilising Eurasia.
According to Shchetsov, after losing their colonial and neo-colonial mechanisms of influence in Africa, Western countries have increasingly sought access to resources and trade routes in Eurasia. He cited tensions and conflicts in Ukraine, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Afghanistan, the Middle East and the Taiwan Strait as examples of this trend.
The Russian official also claimed that NATO members held more than 100 military exercises in 2025, the majority of them on the alliance’s eastern flank. He said these drills were largely focused on offensive operations, including breaking defensive lines and capturing territory.
Shchetsov also referred to the so-called “Trump Route” project in Armenia, describing it as part of Western efforts to expand influence in the region. He claimed the project would not be economically viable and could pave the way for the creation of US intelligence and possibly military infrastructure near Iran’s borders.
He concluded by saying the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation should play a central role in ensuring security and stability across Eurasia. The Collective Security Treaty Organization is a Russian-led security alliance, while the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is one of the most important regional cooperation frameworks in Asia.
