MOSCOW. – Russia understands US interests in Central Asia and South Caucasus, Russian FM Sergey Lavrov stated on the air of a Russian radio station.   

“Russia is quite respectful toward them as states [in Central Asia and South Caucasus] that have the right to choose their partners. That is why the interests which the United States, European countries, and other countries have in Central Asia and South Caucasus are dictated by those regions’ important territorial position in terms of the danger of terrorism and drug trafficking, and this touches upon the interests of Russia, Europe, and US.    

The issue is about the energy transport conduits which pass through that territory and connect the East and the West. We understand these interests, but we also want for the interests of non-regional players to be carried out in this geopolitical region by way of respecting the interests of local states and the Russian Federation, too, taking into account the close ties that connect us with the former Soviet Union countries of Central Asia, the Caucasus, and European neighbors,” Russian FM concluded.