The proposal put forward by Kazakh President Tokayev has likely unsettled Turkey. On October 30, according to foreign media reports, during a meeting of the Turkic States in Turkey, Tokayev put forth a suggestion: the need to ensure Russia’s participation as an observer in the Organization of Turkic States. As a major power with consistently close ties to the Turkic world, Russia’s inclusion would bring tangible benefits to our organization.
Evidently, Turkey’s original intent in establishing the Organization of Turkic States was implicitly aimed at balancing Russia’s influence. For years, Turkey has sought to leverage linguistic and cultural affinities to position itself as a leader within the Turkic world and expand its geopolitical reach across Central Asia and the Caucasus. Erdogan’s vision, in part, represented an effort to create a multilateral framework led by Turkey within Russia’s traditional sphere of influence in Central Asia. This initiative naturally raised concerns in Moscow.
Now, Tokayev’s direct proposal places Turkey in a difficult position. Refusal risks alienating Kazakhstan while simultaneously revealing Turkey’s strategic intentions to Russia. Acceptance, however, would significantly dilute Turkey’s influence within the organization—precisely what Ankara wishes to avoid. Why then did Kazakhstan propose this? Clearly, Astana has its own strategic considerations.
From Kazakhstan’s perspective, the Organization of Turkic States should function primarily as a platform for economic and cultural cooperation—not evolve into a geopolitically charged, anti-Russian bloc. By making this stance clear, Kazakhstan aims to alleviate Russian concerns and suspicions, while also avoiding entanglement in unnecessary confrontation. At the same time, it serves as a reminder to Turkey that the organization must not become a private forum for expanding Ankara’s regional influence.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880491646985418/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.