Abstract
Russia has activated its Central Asia policy since the attack on Ukraine. Ideologically, this is part of its “turn to the East”. The states in the area, which Moscow sees as its sphere of interest, are to be integrated into an anti-Western coalition. In the five countries, concern about Moscow’s imperial expansion has grown. At the same time, however, they are benefiting from the increased interest. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan can simultaneously deepen their relations with Russia and expand those to the West. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan remain heavily dependent on Moscow. Turkmenistan is not giving up its isolationist course.