Kazakhstan-Russia relations

The decision was immediately framed in the press as related to the war in Ukraine, but we know very little about Kazakhstan’s arms exports.

The timing of an August 3 briefing on a months-old separatism case in Petropavl was no coincidence.

Medvedev has since deleted the social media post and blamed hackers.

Most of Kazakhstan’s oil exports go through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which has been targeted by Russian courts. 

The timing of the decision has naturally raised some eyebrows, but of greater consequence is the lack of diversification of export routes for Kazakh oil.

What did Kazakh President Tokayev’s recent statements in Russia actually mean? 

In a recent interview, the Kazakh president again pushed back against those in Russia who say Moscow "saved" Kazakhstan in January.

Kazakhstan is, indeed, looking at Ukraine carefully and thinking seriously. 

Kazakhstan stands to benefit as Russian companies look to move out of Russia in order to trade globally again.

If Kazakhstan can deftly maneuver between Russia and Europe, it stands to benefit economically and politically.

Tokayev’s “new Kazakhstan” is much less in sync with Russia, as illustrated by the country’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.