The influence of Russia on Turkey's relations with Central Asian countries after 1990

Central Asia, especially since the 18th century, has begun to be of interest to the great states. The most important reason for this is that the region is very rich in terms of underground resources. This region has been exposed to Russian and Chinese invasions especially since the 18th century. As a result of the negotiations between England and Tsarist Russia at the beginning of the 19th century, this region was left under the rule of the Russians. Central Asian States, which remained under Soviet domination for many years, gained their independence in 1991 with the dissolution of the USSR. After gaining their independence, the Republic of Turkey was the first state to recognize these states, to open the first embassies, to make the first high-level visits, and to support them in economic and social-cultural matters. However, this intense relationship process started to decline with the presidency of Vladimir Putin in Russia and even came to a standstill with some states. Russia; in its eternal rivalry with Turkey, it forced the Central Asian States to take its side under all circumstances. Although the Central Asian States were not satisfied with this situation, they were compelled to prefer Russia to Turkey due to economic and various other reasons. However, with the changing world, Central Asian States are trying to communicate, get closer and cooperate with the West, China, USA, Turkey and many other world states in order not to be dependent on Russia as in the past. In this thesis, information about the Central Asian States was given, and its economic, socio-cultural structure, internal and external problems, underground and above ground riches and post-independence struggles were examined. With the disintegration of the USSR, the establishment processes of the Central Asian countries and their situation in the international arena were emphasized, and the effect of Russia on Turkey's relations with the Central Asian states, especially after 1990, was investigated.