At the invitation of his counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a state visit to Kazakhstan from November 27-28.
 |
| President Vladimir Putin and his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, November 27. (Source: RIA Novosti) |
A volatile landscape
President Vladimir Putin's visit takes place in the context of many complex and unpredictable changes in the world. The war in Ukraine is showing signs of increasing tension after the US, UK and France "gave the green light" for President Zelensky's administration to use long-range missiles deep into Russian territory. In response, President Putin approved the new nuclear doctrine and used the new generation of medium-range missiles Oreshnik to attack Ukraine, a "warning" to Kiev and Western countries.
In the US, Donald Trump won the presidential election and returned to the White House in January 2025. During the election campaign, Trump repeatedly said he would “end the conflict in Ukraine within 24 hours”, which is confusing President Joe Biden, Kiev and EU leaders. On the other hand, with his “America First” policy, Trump is causing headaches for policymakers in other countries.
Central Asian public opinion is particularly interested in President Putin’s visit to Kazakhstan this time, as well as much discussion about the role of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) when Kazakhstan holds the CSTO presidency. Many local political analysts question whether Astana will continue its proactive, pragmatic multi-directional foreign policy as before or will “lean completely to the East or West”, and where the role of the CSTO will go after Armenia tends to leave this organization and gradually lean towards the West after the incident in the Nagornyi-Karabak region between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Natural allies
In an interview with the press of both countries before the visit, President Tokayev affirmed that the Kazakhstan-Russia relationship is “a symbol of lasting and unbreakable friendship”. The strategic partnership and alliance are developed on the basis of close historical and cultural ties, as well as because of the common responsibility for the future of the two peoples”. Meanwhile, the Russian President declared that “Cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan is truly allied in nature and continues to develop strongly in all areas”.
Russia is currently Kazakhstan’s main strategic partner and ally. Over the past decades, bilateral relations have proven to be an exemplary model of relations between neighboring countries. These relations are based on more than 300 contracts and agreements covering a wide range of areas, from politics, economy, culture to energy infrastructure. Political dialogue at the highest level is developing vigorously with regular high-level visits and contacts.
Kazakhstan and Russia cooperate closely and effectively within the framework of international and regional multilateral structures to ensure regional stability and international security. Regarding economic partnership, trade turnover in 2023 reached a record of 28 billion USD, in the first 9 months of 2024 it reached more than 20 billion USD and the two sides are aiming for the 30 billion USD mark by 2025.
Kazakhstan plays an important role in the transit of Russian goods to China and Central Asian countries. In turn, Russia plays a key role in the transportation and export of Kazakhstan's oil and gas to the world. Recently, the two sides signed agreements to establish large joint ventures in the fields of oil and gas, transport and logistics, contributing to turning Kazakhstan into a transit center for Russian goods abroad in the future.
Relations between Russia and Kazakhstan are also being strengthened in many other areas such as inter-regional cooperation, culture, education, scientific research, and people-to-people exchange. Tens of thousands of Kazakh students are currently studying at universities in Russia. Russian is recognized as the official working language in Kazakhstan.
 |
| Russia is currently Kazakhstan's main strategic partner and ally. (Source: RIA Novosti) |
New winds promote alliance relations
In preparation for President Putin’s visit, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Astana earlier this month. Lavrov’s visit was described by the Russian press as “taking place in strong winds, hail and snowstorms,” implying that there are still many issues that need to be resolved in Russia-Kazakhstan relations.
The focus of attention during Sergei Lavrov's visit was Kazakhstan's interaction within the CSTO and other regional structures such as Eurasia - CSTO, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
According to Lavrov, Moscow and Astana have a common understanding of the need to more actively use the potential of these structures to build partnerships in the economic, investment, transport and logistics sectors. On this basis, the two sides “promote the principles of a comprehensive security structure on the entire continent.”
Foreign Minister Lavrov stressed that the two sides need to have practical and concrete solutions to resolve outstanding issues in the fields of economy, trade, finance and central banking “in order to strengthen economic cooperation, increase trade turnover in a way that benefits both Kazakh businesses and Russian economic operators for the benefit of the budgets of both countries” and this is how Russia wishes to “develop relations with a friendly ally of Kazakhstan”.
Regarding the BRICS issue, shortly before the start of the BRICS Summit in Kazan on October 22, Kazakhstan’s Presidential Press Secretary Berik Uali stated that the country had no intention of joining BRICS in the near future because Kazakhstan prioritizes the United Nations as a global international organization. Some Western and Central Asian media outlets considered this an offensive move by Kazakhstan and “embarrassing” the Kremlin. Later, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Russia Dauren Abaev called “such an interpretation unfounded.”
In a conversation with TASS, the diplomat noted that his country wants to “increase effective dialogue” with BRICS and is ready to support all effective BRICS initiatives that meet its national interests. For his part, Minister Lavrov expressed hope that Kazakhstan’s participation in BRICS “will enrich contacts between Russia and Kazakhstan in addressing truly pressing global issues.”
As for the limitation of Western sanctions, Kazakhstan does not participate in Western sanctions, but does not hide the fact that it has no intention of helping to circumvent them. For example, this year, Kazakh banks began to refuse regular payments to businesses from Russia. In an interview with the RAR news agency In late October, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vasilenko said that Astana did not want Kazakh territory to be used to circumvent sanctions imposed on Russia because of “concerns about the threat of secondary sanctions against Kazakhstan by Western partners.” At the same time, Mr. Vasilenko later stressed that there were “no problems” in bilateral relations between Astana and Moscow, but there were “different issues.”
Speaking to reporters during Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's visit to Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu affirmed: "For us, friendship and good neighborliness with Russia are extremely important." Relations between the two countries are "developing successfully in all aspects." "The state visit of the Russian President to Kazakhstan on November 27 is of great importance in promoting the multifaceted partnership."
The ancients used to say, “Even chopsticks and bowls can sometimes collide,” but looking at the big picture, we can clearly see that the friendship, strategic partnership and alliance between Kazakhstan and Russia will continue to be consolidated and develop well, overcoming the challenges of the current situation. Russian President Putin’s visit to Kazakhstan this time will certainly be a breath of fresh air to further promote the relationship between the two countries.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tong-thong-putin-tham-kazakhstan-nhung-chan-troi-moi-cua-quan-he-doi-tac-chien-luoc-295356.html
Comment (0)