Illegitimate restrictions imposed on the Russian Federation by the “collective West” are blocking Russian communications on the European track. This prompts Russia to search for alternative channels to sell its products, as well as diversify cargo flows through more efficient, reliable and secure deliveries. An important role in this regard is assigned to a large Eurasian multimodal project – the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which aims to provide transportation links between Russia, Iran, India and the monarchies of the Persian Gulf. Since one of the INSTC routes runs along the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea, the article considers the contribution of the three post-Soviet Central Asian republics, i.e. Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, to the development of the project. They have strong economic and political ties with Russia and many common interests. The potential benefits that Russia’s Central Asian partners can derive from this transportation project have also been identified. The comprehension of common benefits will contribute to deepening their interaction with Russia not only in the trade and economic sphere, but also in other areas of cooperation.
The North – South International Transport Corridor, Russia, Central Asia, Caspian Sea