Putin and Tokayev emphasize nuclear energy and strategic partnership during Astana state visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev concluded bilateral negotiations in Astana on May 28, reaffirming the strength of their countries' strategic partnership and multifaceted cooperation. Tokayev credited Putin with raising bilateral relations to an unprecedented level, describing the Russian state visit as an event of particular importance to their strategic partnership. Both leaders highlighted that relations between the two nations have withstood contemporary challenges while successfully addressing mutual interests.

Nuclear energy cooperation featured prominently in discussions, with Putin announcing that agreements on the parameters and financing of Russia's nuclear power plant construction in Kazakhstan had been approved. Putin emphasized that the project extends beyond construction itself to encompass the creation of an entire industry within Kazakhstan, including education and personnel training programs. He noted that the nuclear plant's commissioning would significantly contribute to Kazakhstan's energy supply while providing affordable and clean energy to enterprises and households. Tokayev affirmed the extreme importance of the nuclear power plant construction for Kazakhstan's future energy needs.

Russia's broader energy engagement with Kazakhstan continues to expand, with Putin highlighting Gazprom's uninterrupted gas supplies to northern Kazakhstan, a practice dating to the Soviet era. Rushydro is also joining hydropower development projects in the republic, and mutual cross-border electricity supplies have been established between the nations. Putin noted that cooperation in the energy sector is developing steadily, with the nuclear project representing a flagship achievement in peaceful nuclear energy utilization.

Bilateral trade relations demonstrated strong growth, with Putin announcing that trade turnover between Russia and Kazakhstan would soon exceed $30 billion. Both leaders emphasized economic resilience through the transition to national currency settlements, with almost all transactions now conducted in rubles and tenge rather than foreign currencies, protecting trade from external pressures. They also highlighted their countries' crucial role in ensuring transport connectivity across Eurasia, with shipment volumes between the nations steadily increasing.

On the diplomatic front, Putin stated that Moscow and Astana maintain very close or practically identical positions on foreign policy matters, coordinating approaches through the United Nations, Commonwealth of Independent States, Collective Security Treaty Organization, and Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The leaders also discussed cooperation on artificial intelligence implementation and reaffirmed the importance of the Russian language's continued use in Kazakhstan, while highlighting environmental cooperation successes including the joint restoration of the Amur tiger population.