Putin has lost influence on Central Asia: what is special about Kazakhstan’s relations with Russia

Relations between Kazakhstan and Russia / Collage 24 Channel / Getty Images

On the eve of Vladimir Putin's visit to Kazakhstan, his press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow and Astana have “close” relations. In addition, according to Peskov, the United States and Russia are responsible for the overall security of the planet.

The Kremlin is trying in every possible way to “sell” its “impact on the world” to the internal Russian user, but to no avail. Russian opposition journalist Igor Yakovenko told Channel 24 that the head of Russia has lost influence on Central Asia

Russia has lost its “special” role for Kazakhstan

According to Yakovenko, Russia and Kazakhstan have “close” relations only along the length of the longest land border between the countries, which is unprotected on both sides. Therefore, the President of Kazakhstan, Kasim-Jomart Tokayev, is making efforts to ensure that unnecessary tension does not arise with Moscow.

There is nothing else in these “close” relations between Russia and Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan, like the whole of Central Asia, except for Kyrgyzstan, has long abandoned the “special” role of Russia, the Russian opposition journalist emphasized.

Yakovenko on relations between Russia and Kazakhstan: watch video

It is obvious that Astana, first of all, wants to develop relations with China and the countries of the European Union. Despite this, Kazakhstan does not want to “quarrel” with Russia because of the threat and danger posed by the aggressor country.

Putin has certainly lost Central Asia as a sphere of his “special” influence,” noted Igor Yakovenko.

Kazakhstan news: what is known

• The press service of Kazakh leader Kasim-Jomart Tokayev reported on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay an official visit to Kazakhstan on November 9. The heads of state will discuss “topical issues of the Kazakh-Russian strategic partnership.”
• On the eve of Putin's visit to Kazakhstan, the Russian President's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, said that “Russia and Kazakhstan are developing independent relations that are closer than Astana has with other states.”
• In early November, French President Emmanuel Macron came to Kazakhstan and complimented Kasim-Jomart Tokayev for refusing to side with Moscow on Ukraine.
• As Russian opposition journalist Timur Olevsky explained, “Putin is not needed for anything in Kazakhstan.” Namely, Moscow needs Astana to circumvent the sanctions imposed on it.