China's Global Times on June 16, 2015, claimed that Russia had decided to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles into Central Asia, reportedly to confront Chinese influence in the region, since China's declaration of its Belt and Road initiative. It said since Russia itself relies heavily on economic exchanges with China, military deterrence is now the only way Putin can confront Chinese influence in the region. It adds, however, that according to diplomats from Europe, Russian military presence will be helpful in maintaining a balance of power in the region as China's economic influence grows along with increased cooperation among Asian nations and both nations could stand to benefit from this new policy.