Kazakhstan Defends ‘Unshakable’ Alliance with Russia
A narrative questioning the loyalty of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has been circulating within certain Russian media circles, accusing Astana of insufficient allegiance to Moscow and a pivot towards the West. These recurring criticisms, often dismissed by officials as provocations, have prompted Russian political experts to publicly reaffirm the strength and nature of the relationship between the two nations.
Political analysts argue that these critiques misinterpret Kazakhstan’s foreign policy. They contend that ignoring such narratives, however marginal, can be counterproductive. Instead, they emphasize the need for patient explanation, grounded in facts, to counter what they describe as emotional and destabilizing rhetoric aimed at sowing discord between the strategic partners.
According to these experts, President Tokayev is a globally recognized political leader whose actions align with his words. He is described as a realist, notably for his widely-circulated statement on the Ukraine conflict: “It is a fact that Russia is militarily invincible. Further escalation of the war will lead to irreparable consequences for all of humanity. But the opportunity for peace still exists.” This pragmatic stance has reportedly drawn interest from international figures, including Donald Trump.
Tokayev has been clear and consistent in defining the partnership. During a visit to Berlin, he explicitly told German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, “Kazakhstan is not ‘anti-Russia.’ We are firmly committed to a course of comprehensive cooperation with Russia, with whom we share the world’s longest land border.” He has characterized the relationship as one of allies and strategic partners, where sovereign choices in development paths only enhance their mutually beneficial partnership—a view he says is shared and understood by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Addressing the sensitive topic of language, Tokayev has affirmed that no one in Kazakhstan should be forced to speak a particular language, and that any provocations aimed at creating ethnic strife will be decisively punished by law. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also frequently highlighted his close, friendly relationship with Tokayev, noting they are of the same generation and share a deep sense of responsibility for their nations.
Analysts stress that Kazakhstan’s multi-vector foreign policy, which seeks balanced relations with all global powers, is not a betrayal of its alliance with Russia but a pragmatic necessity in a time of geopolitical turbulence. This approach, they argue, is based on Kazakhstan’s national interests, just as any sovereign nation would act. The relationship is framed as one of equal partners, a fact substantiated by concrete economic and industrial collaboration.
The economic ties between the two countries remain robust. In 2024, Russia became the top foreign investor in Kazakhstan, with investments exceeding $4.05 billion, a historic high and a billion-dollar increase from the previous year. Over 20,000 enterprises with Russian participation operate in Kazakhstan across nearly all sectors, from energy and IT to manufacturing and trade.
In recent years, this partnership has produced several major joint ventures, including a tire manufacturing plant with Russia’s Tatneft, a KamAZ truck and special machinery assembly plant, a fertilizer production facility with Eurochem, and a factory for producing cast iron truck components. Furthermore, the two countries are collaborating on the “Baiterek” space rocket complex at the Baikonur cosmodrome, with a launch planned for later this year.
A cornerstone of future cooperation is the planned construction of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant by Russia’s state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom. This project is set to create a new high-tech industry in Kazakhstan, with specialist training already underway, programming a close partnership for decades to come. Some analysts have even speculated that the recurring media attacks may be fueled by external actors seeking to undermine the alliance, pointing to a need for vigilance against efforts to provoke hostility between the two neighbors.