Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Western countries are attempting to establish their own rules in both the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, Lavrov described the situation as an emerging geopolitical struggle, claiming that Western powers are seeking to shape regional systems and influence how countries choose their international partners, The Caspian Post reports via Russian media.

He said that in Central Asia, there is “an interesting geopolitical competition” driven by what he described as attempts by the West to impose its own frameworks of cooperation and governance.

Lavrov added that similar dynamics are unfolding in the South Caucasus, where external actors are also trying to play a leading role in shaping political and economic alignments across the region.