Publication

Russia was the first state in the world to de facto recognise the new regime in Kyrgyzstan. This recognition, along with a previous campaign by the Russian media against the then President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, has given rise to suspicion that the events of April were provoked by Russia. However, Russia’s relations with Roza Otunbayeva’s government have been changing in nature. There are many indications that this change was a reaction to the extension of the lease for the American military base in the Manas airport. At the same time, Moscow remains in contact with the political rivals to the current regime, which suggests that the Kremlin is preparing for different developments, and does not regard the current crisis as having been fully resolved.