Germany and the Allure of Central Asia

Germany is stepping up efforts to deepen economic and energy ties with Central Asian nations, a move that reflects a broader shift in European strategy as the continent confronts a more uncertain and competitive global landscape.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met with his counterparts from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan in Berlin this week, with talks focused on energy supplies, raw materials, climate cooperation and trade. The meeting highlighted how Central Asia – once considered peripheral to European interests – is gaining strategic importance as Germany and the wider European Union search for new partners and new supply routes.

For much of the past three decades, Germany’s economic success was built on a predictable formula –  export-driven industry powered by stable and affordable energy imports. Russian gas supplied factories, globalised supply chains kept costs low, and the rules-based trading system provided markets for German goods.

That model has come under pressure. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 shattered the foundations of Europe’s energy arrangements, forcing Germany to cut its dependence on Russian gas and seek alternative sources almost overnight. At the same time, tensions between major powers, disruptions to global supply chains and a more uncertain transatlantic relationship have exposed the vulnerabilities of Europe’s economic structure.

In response, Berlin has begun looking farther afield for partners that can help secure energy, raw materials and new markets. Central Asia has emerged as a region of growing interest.

Kazakhstan holds vast reserves of oil, gas and uranium, while Turkmenistan is home to some of the world’s largest natural gas fields. Other countries in the region possess deposits of rare earths and metals essential for renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles and digital infrastructure. For a Germany trying to balance industrial competitiveness with ambitious climate goals, these resources are increasingly valuable.

German officials are also exploring transport and energy routes across the Caspian Sea that would link Central Asia to Europe without passing through Russian territory. Such corridors are seen as a way to reduce strategic dependence on Moscow and to create more resilient supply chains across Eurasia.

At the same time, the discussions in Berlin underscored a more delicate issue – sanctions. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, trade between Europe and some Central Asian states has risen sharply. European officials fear that certain goods may be finding their way to Russia through these countries, undermining the impact of sanctions. Germany is therefore trying to balance closer economic ties with the need to ensure that partners respect European restrictions on Moscow.

The outreach to Central Asia is part of a broader European reassessment of economic policy. For decades, the continent relied on open global markets, stable geopolitical conditions and predictable energy supplies. That era now appears to be fading.

The war in Ukraine, the pandemic-era supply chain shocks and growing rivalry between the United States and China have all contributed to a more fragmented global economy. European governments are increasingly speaking of “economic security,” focusing on diversification, domestic production and strategic partnerships.

In that context, Central Asia’s location between Russia, China, the Middle East and Europe gives it new relevance. The region is rich in resources and sits along potential transport corridors that could reshape trade flows across Eurasia.

For the Central Asian states themselves, the renewed European interest offers an opportunity to attract investment and broaden their diplomatic options. Most of them are pursuing a careful balancing act, maintaining ties with Russia and China while opening up to the European Union and other partners.

Germany’s initiative is still in its early stages, but it reflects a deeper shift in European thinking. The continent is moving away from the assumption that economic interdependence alone can guarantee stability, and toward a more pragmatic approach shaped by geopolitical realities.

In that emerging world, the vast plains and mineral-rich republics of Central Asia are no longer distant or marginal to Europe’s interests. They are becoming part of the continent’s search for energy security, industrial resilience and a new footing in a rapidly changing global order.

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