The relationship between Kazakhstan and Russia serves as a model of strong and enduring friendship. Our strategic partnership and alliance are built on deep historical and cultural ties, as well as a shared responsibility for the future of our nations.
Photo credit: Akorda
The Russian newspaper Izvestia published an article by Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev titled "Kazakhstan and Russia: New Horizons of Strategic Partnership," The Caspian Post reports citing Kazinform.
The relationship between Kazakhstan and Russia serves as a model of strong and enduring friendship. Our strategic partnership and alliance are built on deep historical and cultural ties, as well as a shared responsibility for the future of our nations.
Despite unprecedented global challenges, our countries exemplify good neighborliness and multifaceted cooperation. This collaboration is rooted in shared interests, mutual respect, and constructive, high-level political dialogue.
President Vladimir Putin and I maintain regular communication characterized by openness, a businesslike approach, and mutual respect. This enables us to address emerging issues promptly and further strengthen the genuinely friendly nature of our relations. Over the past year alone, we have held four comprehensive negotiations, met multiple times on the sidelines of international events, and engaged in several phone discussions.
Photo credit: Akorda
Thanks to the efforts of the governments and business representatives of both countries, trade and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia continues to gain momentum.
Currently, 23,000 Russian companies are operating successfully in Kazakhstan, 4,000 of which were established within the past year alone—a testament to the dynamic nature of our partnership.
Mutual investment volumes are also consistently increasing. In 2023, Russian companies invested over $3 billion in Kazakhstan, while Kazakhstan contributed a comparable amount to Russia’s economy. Both countries are creating favorable conditions to support investors and foster a business-friendly environment.
Kazakhstan and Russia are engaged in extensive collaboration across sectors such as energy, industry, transport and logistics, agriculture, and many others. To date, over 90 projects worth more than $18 billion have been completed, with an additional 49 promising initiatives currently underway.
Among the most significant projects are the construction of three new CHPs in Kazakhstan, the modernization of the Ekibastuz GRES, major initiatives to expand gas infrastructure in several regions of Kazakhstan, and increased transit of Russian energy resources to southern and eastern destinations.
Astana and Moscow are also working productively within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which has become a vital mechanism for integration across the Eurasian region and has gained international recognition.
Notably, this year marks the tenth anniversary of the Treaty establishing the EAEU. As initiators and founding members, Kazakhstan and Russia have consistently worked to strengthen comprehensive cooperation, aiming to enhance global competitiveness. Over the years, the EAEU has proven its effectiveness as a key platform for integrating economic policies among member states and fostering mutual trade.
Photo credit: Akorda
The upcoming state visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Kazakhstan will be a landmark event in the history of Kazakh-Russian relations. This visit, of the highest interstate significance, underscores the special importance of the strategic partnership between our nations.
During our meeting in Astana, President Vladimir Putin and I will discuss a wide range of topics, including cooperation in trade, the economy, transport and logistics, energy, and scientific and technical fields. We also plan to deliberate on further collaboration within international organizations and integration structures, as well as exchange views on the global situation, which, unfortunately, has reached a critical level of tension.
In Kazakhstan, we always remember that our countries share the world’s longest land border. For us, this is a border of eternal friendship and genuine neighborliness. Equally significant is the fact that approximately 32 million people live in the border regions on both sides. These regions play a vital role in strengthening our interstate relations. A key part of the visit’s program will therefore be the joint participation of the heads of state in the 20th Forum of Interregional Cooperation.
Photo credit: Adlet Beremkulov
I am confident that the upcoming visit will provide a strong boost to investment and trade cooperation and facilitate the launch of new joint projects for the benefit of the citizens of both nations.
Our countries are also preparing to honor the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. Respect for our shared history runs as a common thread through the cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia.
In the 20th century, our peoples endured the harshest trials together, defeating fascism in the most devastating war in human history. Kazakhstani soldiers fought valiantly on the frontlines, and Kazakhstan became a reliable strategic rear, providing the army with essential military products and food. Hundreds of thousands of families found refuge on Kazakh soil during the evacuation.
The words “No one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten” are not merely a slogan for the people of Kazakhstan; they encapsulate the eternal national memory of the unparalleled feats of war participants and home front workers.
Photo credit: Alexander Pavskiy/ Kazinform
Cultural and humanitarian ties between our countries are also flourishing, with regular cultural days, festivals, and exhibitions receiving widespread public appreciation.
Last year was marked by the large-scale “Russian Seasons” held in Kazakhstan. This year, Moscow hosted Astana Culture Days, highlighted by the staging of the opera Abai at the Bolshoi Theatre. Additionally, Kazakhstan’s exhibitions will be showcased in Russia’s premier museums, including the Tretyakov Gallery and the Hermitage.
Kazakhstan’s participation in the “Games of the Future” in Kazan and the performance of Russian athletes at the World Nomad Games in Astana underscore the growing relevance of new formats for humanitarian cooperation. Building on this momentum, Kazakhstan will host the next “Games of the Future” in 2026, an initiative originally launched by Russia.
Photo credit: Egor Alee/ TASS
Educational collaboration is also expanding. Plans include the opening of Russian schools in the southern regions of Kazakhstan. In turn, we are hopeful for the establishment of Kazakhstani schools in Russian cities near the border with Kazakhstan.
Currently, around 60,000 Kazakh students are enrolled in Russian educational institutions. Plans are underway to open a branch of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in Astana and a representative office of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Omsk.
In Kazakhstan, over 3,500 schools teach in the language of Pushkin. Russian-language television channels and radio stations broadcast widely, newspapers and magazines are published, and Russian drama theaters delight audiences in almost every region.
Our country has also initiated the creation of an International Organization for the Russian Language under the auspices of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). This organization will focus on fostering cooperation among CIS countries to support and promote the Russian language. I am confident this initiative will strengthen friendship, good neighborliness, interethnic harmony, mutual understanding, and trust between our peoples.
Kazakhstan and Russia collaborate effectively on the international stage, advocating for the principles of multipolarity, peaceful dialogue, and respect for the sovereignty of all nations.
The positions of Kazakhstan and Russia align on many global and regional issues, as reflected in their coordinated efforts within integration groups and multilateral platforms, including the CIS, CSTO, SCO, CICA, and others.
In July, Astana hosted the SCO summit, which concluded with the adoption of the Declaration “On World Unity for Just Peace, Harmony, and Development”. This document emphasizes that the SCO can contribute to building a new architecture of unified and indivisible security across Eurasia.
A landmark event of the year was the October meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS in Moscow, where member states reaffirmed their commitment to developing mutually beneficial and multifaceted cooperation.
Photo credit: Akorda
This year, Kazakhstan holds the chairmanship of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The upcoming summit in Astana will mark a significant step toward strengthening regional security and stability. Our country is fully committed to supporting joint efforts aimed at ensuring collective security and maintaining friendly ties among member states.
It is also worth highlighting the impressive outcomes of the historic BRICS summit held in Kazan. This forum became a reality thanks to the personal efforts and authority of Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, as well as Russia’s effective leadership within the organization, which represents the interests of over 45 percent of the world’s population.
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In conclusion, it can be confidently stated that this year has been highly productive for our bilateral cooperation. At the same time, we have laid a strong foundation for 2025, during which we plan to implement numerous joint initiatives and projects. I am confident that these endeavors will bring tangible benefits to the citizens of both countries.
Kazakhstan and Russia have built truly friendly and, most importantly, trusting relations based on good neighborliness and alliance. I believe that together we can realize the boldest ideas that align with our shared fundamental interests. As for Kazakhstan, we have been—and remain—a reliable strategic partner and ally of Russia during this challenging period of history, marked by conflicts and upheavals.
