France's President Emmanuel Macron (L) is welcomed by Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (R) in Astana on November 1, 2023. French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Central Asia on November 1, aiming to boost France's profile in a region where Russia, China, Turkey and Europe are all jostling for influence. (Photo by Stanislav FILIPPOV / POOL / AFP)