Putin Says Russia-Kazakhstan Trade Protected by Use of National Currencies

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that trade between Russia and Kazakhstan is insulated from external market pressures through the use of national currencies for settlements. Speaking following bilateral negotiations in Astana on May 28, Putin highlighted that nearly all transactions between the two countries are now conducted in rubles and tenge rather than foreign currencies. This shift in payment mechanisms, he argued, shields bilateral commerce from fluctuations in global markets and external influences. Putin also noted efforts to expand and diversify the structure of foreign trade between the nations, with a focus on goods with high added value. The transition to national currency settlements represents a strategic move to reduce dependence on international currency markets and strengthen economic ties between Russia and Kazakhstan.