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sphere of influence

Kazakh President Warns Against Further Integration of Russia-Led Economic Bloc

Addressing Putin, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev appeared to criticize Belarus' loss of sovereignty.

parallel imports

Kazakhstan to Strengthen Screening of Re-Exports to Russia

Kazakh firms have been helping meet Russian demand for high-tech consumer goods and other items that have become hard to obtain due to Western sanctions...

Former Presidential Guard Jailed for 6 Years for Deserting Russian Army

A military court in the Siberian city of Barnaul found former presidential guard Mikhail Zhilin guilty of desertion and illegal border crossing.

route development

Sanctioned Russian Buys Into Kazakh Airport in Border Region

The firm hopes to create a regional aviation hub just over the Kazakh border.

risk of seizure

Aeroflot Poised to Return to Kazakhstan Despite Legal Risks

Russia’s largest airline, Aeroflot, is poised to resume regular scheduled flights to Kazakhstan, despite a substantial chunk of its fleet being at...

supply and demand

Russian McDonald's Spinoff Sets Sights on Kazakhstan Market

The owner of the rebranded Russian McDonald’s is seeking to expand into Kazakhstan, the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported Monday. The U...

fleeing the draft

Kazakhstan Reportedly Returns Former Presidential Guard to Russia

Kazakhstan has deported a Russian citizen who fled Russia’s mobilization drive this fall in the first known case of Astana returning a draft dodger...

information control

Kazakh News Outlet Rejects Russian Demand to Delete War Coverage

An independent Kazakh media outlet said it has refused to follow a demand by Russian authorities to take down its reporting on the war in Ukraine. Russia&rsquo...

Putin Looks to Shore Up Russia’s Regional Influence on Kyrgyzstan Visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin will attempt to shore up Russia’s regional authority on a visit Friday to the Central Asian state of Kyrgyzstan...

reluctant allies

Putin and Kazakhstan's Tokayev Reaffirm Ties After Ukraine Tensions

Kazakhstan's president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Monday, with the allies reaffirming historic ties...

strained partnership

Putin Congratulates Tokayev on 'Convincing Mandate' in Kazakh Poll

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday congratulated Kazakhstan's incumbent president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, on his landslide victory in a snap presidential...

Kazakhstan Says Foiled Coup Attempt Ahead of Early Vote

Kazakhstan said Thursday it had prevented a coup attempt by supporters of an exiled opposition figure as it arrested seven people ahead of a presidential...

shifting geopolitics

EU Chief Courts Moscow's Central Asia Allies

EU chief Charles Michel called on Thursday for closer ties with Central Asia on his first official visit to Kazakhstan, the main economic powerhouse in...

Diplomatic Spat

Ukraine Recalls Ambassador to Kazakhstan After Row With Moscow

Ukraine has removed its ambassador to Kazakhstan in Central Asia, according to a decree published on the presidential website, after remarks he made about...

offering refuge

Kazakhstan to Ensure Safety of Russians Fleeing Draft – President

Kazakhstan will ensure the care and safety of Russians fleeing a "hopeless situation," the president of the Central Asian country said on Tuesday, as Russian...

moscow distracted

Central Asia Drifts Out of Russia’s Orbit as Ukraine War Rages

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — Russia is losing influence over former Soviet nations in Central Asia as the war in Ukraine increasingly strains Moscow&rsquo...

Kazakhstan Boosts Defense Spending Amid Ukraine Invasion – WSJ

Moscow’s war against Ukraine has complicated ties between Russia and its southerly neighbor and ally.

Kazakhstan Seeks to Attract Foreign Brands Exiting Russia

Kazakh President Tokayev called on creating “favorable conditions” for the businesses that left Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

back in business

Russian Court Overturns Ban on Kazakh Oil Exports

The ban added to tensions between Russia and Kazakhstan that have arisen in the wake of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

'high-wire walk'

Ukraine War Strains Ties Between Kazakhstan and Russia

Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and Russian perceptions that the Kremlin secured the Kazakh regime during this year's political crisis have led to tensions...

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