This presentation analyses how the war in Ukraine affects Central Asia, a region that is historically, politically and economically tied to Russia. It explains different political reactions to the conflict, which emerged in this region. Moreover, relying on her research in Tajikistan during the first weeks of the war in Ukraine, Kluczewska sketches a variety of social perceptions of this conflict, including: pro-Ukrainian and pro-Western stances; unconditional support for the Russian government’s actions; and a compassionate attitude towards Ukrainian refugees, combined with a belief that this war was inevitable.

About the speaker:

Karolina Kluczewska is a postdoctoral researcher at the Ghent Institute for International and European Studies (GIES) at Ghent University, and an associate researcher at the Institute of Middle East, Central Asia and Caucasus Studies at the University of St Andrews (United Kingdom). She has several years of fieldwork experience in Tajikistan. In recent years, she held research and teaching positions at the Centre for Global Cooperation Research, University of Marburg and University of Giessen (Germany), Tajik National University (Tajikistan), Tomsk State University (Russia) and University Sorbonne Paris Nord (France). Her current research explores evolving understanding of welfare in Poland, Russia and Tajikistan.

Moderator:

prof. Bruno de Cordier, Conflict Research Group, Ghent University