Kazakhstan International News Agency report: President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will make an official visit to the Russian Federation on November 11-12.
During the visit, both sides are expected to deeply discuss deepening the strategic partnership and alliance relations, expanding trade and economic cooperation, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Analysts from the Kazakhstan International News Agency have joined experts to look forward to potential outcomes.
State Visit: A Peak of Trust and Partnership
A state visit is far more than a ceremonial meeting; it is a vivid embodiment of mutual trust and strategic partnership between two countries. Such visits are of the highest international standard, and only occur upon the personal invitation of the head of state, aiming to elevate bilateral dialogue to a new level and strengthen political, economic, and cultural ties.
President Tokayev's visit is a crucial moment. The agenda includes economic diversification, upgrading industrial cooperation, strengthening collaboration in border areas, and launching new joint projects.
The visit stands out for the perfect integration of ceremony and substance. In addition to high-level meetings, economic agreements will be signed, business forums will be held, and cross-regional dialogues will take place. State visits are rare – each president visits only one country during their term, so this visit is considered a historic milestone in the new stage of the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Russia.
Political scientist Edward Poltayev believes that President Tokayev's state visit to Russia reflects the true trust and strategic partnership between the two countries.
"The significance and political weight of this visit are profound," Poltayev said.
Visit Topics: Declaration Signing Lights Up New Cooperation
In his article "Eternal Friendship - The North Star Guiding the Peoples of the Two Countries" published in "Rossiya Gazeta", President Tokayev clearly outlined the core objectives of his visit to Russia.
"The agenda of the visit is broad, with the signing of the 'Declaration on Elevating the Relations Between Kazakhstan and Russia to the Level of Comprehensive Strategic Partners and Allies' being the top priority. This document will certainly open a new era in bilateral relations, demonstrating an unprecedented level of mutual trust and the common determination to move forward together in all fields," Tokayev wrote.
The visit will focus on expanding trade and investment, deepening industrial cooperation, and launching joint projects in energy and transportation logistics. Zhanar Tolintynova, head of the media project at the Institute of Strategy of the President of Kazakhstan and a political scientist, believes that this visit demonstrates the solid foundation of mutual trust and political ties between the two countries.
"President Tokayev's visit confirms that cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia is steadily moving forward. The two countries have woven a close network in economic, cultural, and security areas, and this visit will push the partnership to a higher level," Tolintynova said.
She pointed out that the heads of state of the two countries have met face-to-face multiple times and had more than ten phone calls this year, indicating the depth of mutual trust and regular dialogue.
"This is a clear evidence of trust and stable dialogue between the two countries," the expert emphasized.
Tolintynova believes that this visit once again highlights Kazakhstan's balanced foreign policy.
"Kazakhstan is neutral and pursues equal cooperation with Russia, China, Western countries, and Central Asian neighbors. This is the fundamental principle of our multi-vector foreign policy," she said.
In the complex geopolitical environment, Kazakhstan has always maintained a stable and responsible attitude.
"President Tokayev's initiative for dialogue and peaceful resolution on the international stage continues to strengthen Kazakhstan's global image as a reliable partner," Tolintynova said.
She also touched on the economic connotation of the visit.
"There are over 170 projects between Kazakhstan and Russia, valued at over $4.8 billion, spanning mechanical engineering, energy, chemicals, and digitalization. These are tangible results of partnership," the expert pointed out.
Agricultural cooperation is also heating up.
"In 2024, the value of agricultural product trade reached $3.8 billion. Future joint projects will light up in grain processing and digitalization of agricultural logistics," Tolintynova added.
Poltayev mentioned that when President Tokayev met with the leader of Tatarstan, he described this visit as a "historical phase with border significance." Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov also called it an "international-level important event."
"The visit will not get bogged down in sharp geopolitical issues, but will pave the way for specific agreements in energy, transportation logistics, and industrial cooperation. Despite the shadow of anti-Russian sanctions, the two countries continue to promote cooperation and new projects. Kazakhstan remains a key ally of Russia in the post-Soviet space and Central Asia," the expert analyzed.
Energy is the core of bilateral relations. The participation of Russia's "Rosatom" in the construction of Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant marks a new chapter in the strategic partnership.
"Energy is the cornerstone of national security and sustainable development. Such agreements have not only significant economic implications but also substantial geopolitical weight," said the political scientist.
The bilateral trade volume in 2024 reached $2.8 billion, with a target of $3 billion.
"Such visits serve as a strong stimulant, consolidating the friendship and mutual trust between the two countries, and promoting harmonious progress in strategic directions," the political scientist concluded.
Multipolar Diplomacy and Strategic Allies
The Kazakh-Russian relationship is of great significance, serving as a vivid example of Kazakhstan's multipolar diplomacy and the president's active international presence. Since the autumn of this year, President Tokayev has frequently appeared on the global stage: the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the China SCO Summit, the XII Summit of the Turkic States Organization in Azerbaijan, the CIS Heads of State Council, and the second "Central Asia-Russia" Summit in Dushanbe, and met with the presidents of Italy, Hungary, Azerbaijan, and Finland in Astana.
Recently, he visited the U.S., met with Trump, Vance, and Rubio; he is about to visit Russia, further outlining the balanced and steady outline of Kazakhstan's diplomacy.
Amid global turbulence, Astana maintains reliable dialogue with all major power centers while prioritizing its strategic partnership with Moscow.
Russian journalist Maxim Shevchenko pointed out that President Tokayev had a 40-minute English conversation with Trump in Washington, showcasing trust and diplomatic wisdom, allowing Kazakhstan's position to reach the highest levels of the U.S.
President Tokayev thanked Trump for his efforts to stop the war and specifically mentioned Putin's possibility of achieving peace.
Given the recent meeting between the two presidents in Dushanbe, Putin formally invited President Tokayev to visit Russia. This visit is not only an exchange of opinions but also a deepened alignment of strategic positions between the two leaders.
The Washington meeting is part of Kazakhstan's broad diplomatic mission. Shevchenko believes that only reliable friends and partners can be entrusted with such responsibilities. For Russia, Kazakhstan is the optimal platform for negotiations with the U.S. and Ukraine.
"President Putin also highly values the special bond between Kazakhstan and Russia as a post-Soviet integration initiative country," Shevchenko said.
Amid increasing geopolitical tensions, such connections rooted in trust, personal diplomacy, and the integration agenda have become the core pillars of Eurasian stability. Kazakhstan is not only a participant but also an active creator of a dialogue platform filled with trust.
Bilateral Trade: Structural Optimization Is Urgent
From January to August 2025, the value of goods trade between Kazakhstan and Russia was $17 billion, a slight decrease of 5.7% compared to the previous year. Exports from Kazakhstan dropped to $5.3 billion, mainly due to reduced volumes of uranium, copper, and chromite ore. However, exports of unprocessed gold, perfumes, and steel products saw an upward trend. Imports remained stable at $11.8 billion, with increases in petroleum products, home textiles, and steel products. The trade balance was negative, with a deficit of $6.5 billion, reflecting an imbalance in trade structure.
Asel Aben, chief expert of the Department of Economic Policy Analysis at the President's Strategy Institute, stated that although the Kazakh-Russian trade relationship is steadily progressing, the negative balance remains a pain point, primarily due to structural imbalances: Kazakhstan exports more raw materials (uranium, metals, semi-finished products) to Russia and imports finished products (fuel, automotive parts, food, textiles) from Russia.
"To reverse this, import substitution and joint production should be prioritized. For example, establishing factories in pharmaceuticals, plastics, and automotive parts with Russian partners. If production is established within Kazakhstan, local value-added retention will reduce imports. Currently, there are over 23,000 Russian enterprises, but the proportion of processing industries is low, so targeted incentives are needed," Aben said.
She emphasized the second direction as strengthening the support system for Kazakhstan's exports. Export Credit Agency (KazakhExport) is becoming a powerful tool, providing insurance, guarantees, and financing to help enterprises explore new markets.
"Additionally, Kazakhstan should efficiently utilize the Eurasian Economic Union platform, prioritizing the development of complementary production chains and industrial zones. Such cooperation will balance bilateral trade structures," the expert said.
Aben believes that the overall goal is not just an increase in trade volume but a qualitative leap. Replacing raw material exports with finished products and processed goods exports will enhance Kazakhstan's economic resilience and maintain a mutually beneficial partnership with Russia.
Ural Regional Forum: Border Cooperation Gets a New Boost
Border region cooperation will continue at the traditional Kazakhstan-Russia regional forum held in the Ural region.
Poltayev called this forum a major event, focusing on digital economy, artificial intelligence, talent development, agro-industrial and transportation cooperation.
"70% of bilateral trade comes from border regions, showing the solid economic foundation of the cooperation," the political scientist pointed out.
Tolintynova said that the forum will inject new vitality into the economic ties between the two countries.
"The forum enhances regional production and educational partnerships, and will finalize specific agreements and new projects," the expert said.
In summary, President Tokayev's state visit to Russia is a key step in elevating the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Russia. The topics discussed during the visit, such as economic, industrial, and investment cooperation, will consolidate bilateral relations and alleviate the imbalance in trade structure. Measures such as import substitution, development of joint production, and export support will enhance Kazakhstan's economic stability while maintaining a mutually beneficial partnership with Russia. At the same time, border region cooperation and industrial projects under the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union will deepen trade and economic ties, injecting strong momentum into regional development. The visit is not only formal meetings and signing agreements but also a comprehensive grand event to strengthen the trust and strategic partnership between the two countries.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7571520576037110322/
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