Seven years of patient maneuvering, then a decisive victory followed by immediate action! Kazakhstan's President Tokayev quietly advances de-russification with gentle yet firm steps—Putin has finally come to terms with reality.

Recently, a highly significant development unfolded in Central Asia. The newly concluded parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan have settled into place: the political party affiliated with President Tokayev secured over 70% of the seats, drastically weakening opposition forces and delivering a crushing victory. This means that for the next five years, Tokayev will hold absolute control over governance, leaving no domestic power capable of constraining his policy agenda.

Everyone expected him to prioritize economic recovery and social stability after winning the election. Instead, Tokayev’s first move was subtly targeting Putin—a quiet but strategic new phase of moderate “de-russification.”

At the post-election press conference, Tokayev dedicated time specifically to discussing reforms in social etiquette. He explicitly called for nationwide cultural renewal—eliminating foreign social habits and returning to indigenous Kazakh traditions. He stated plainly that practices such as kissing between men and women or cheek-bumping embraces are not traditional customs in Kazakhstan. True decorum, he emphasized, lies in greeting others with the right hand resting on the chest.

Anyone familiar with Central Asian geopolitics can easily decipher this message. Though never directly named, every word points unmistakably toward Russia. Male embraces and cheek kisses are classic Soviet and Russian social rituals, long entrenched across the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and now emblematic symbols of Russian cultural influence.

Kazakhstan, shaped by nomadic heritage and Islamic culture, traditionally values restraint and propriety in social interaction—never embracing intimate contact between genders or male cheek-bumping customs. By now clearly defining these boundaries, Tokayev is effectively dismantling Russian cultural influence from the very foundation of society.

Many dismiss changes in etiquette as trivial—but in the realm of great-power competition and national sovereignty, independence often begins at the smallest details. A radical political break risks conflict; whereas this subtle, gradual cultural correction is safest and most enduring. It enables Kazakhstan to gradually shed Russian cultural penetration without provoking direct tensions—exemplifying masterful diplomatic wisdom.

This latest etiquette reform marks another milestone in Kazakhstan’s systematic, long-term de-russification drive. Since the outbreak of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Russia has been bogged down in war, significantly weakening its grip on Central Asia. Tokayev has seized this strategic window to break free across four domains: politics, economics, diplomacy, and culture—ultimately transforming the old dependency on Moscow.

In politics, Kazakhstan has completed constitutional reforms: abolished the previous bicameral system, introduced a unicameral parliament, purged entrenched pro-Russian factions, and reshaped its entire political system. No longer blindly following Moscow’s directives, it maintains an independent and neutral stance in international disputes.

Cultural reform has been the most thorough—and crucial. Kazakhstan continues replacing place names, street signs, and public signage with native Kazakh equivalents, erasing all traces of Soviet and Russian legacy. History textbooks have been revised to reconstruct national narratives, diminishing Russia’s historical dominance over Central Asia. Meanwhile, language reform progresses steadily: plans are underway to fully replace the century-old Cyrillic script with Latin letters—severing the cultural bond at its root.

The most pivotal change lies in language—just a few words altered, yet profoundly meaningful. Under the old constitution, Russian and Kazakh were declared equal. The new constitution downgrades Russian to a co-official language while formally establishing Kazakh as the sole state language. Today, President Tokayev himself consistently uses Kazakh during international summits and bilateral talks, breaking away from the long-standing practice of defaulting to Russian among top officials.

In economy and diplomacy, Kazakhstan’s breakthroughs are equally impressive. The country is actively developing the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, building trade routes to Europe bypassing Russia, and reducing reliance on Russian pipelines for energy exports. Today, China has replaced Russia as Kazakhstan’s largest trading partner.

Diplomatically, Kazakhstan adheres to a balanced, diversified strategy: maintaining stable cooperation with Russia while deepening Belt and Road initiatives with China, simultaneously strengthening ties with Western nations and Turkic-speaking states. It has thus decisively overcome its former dependency on a single alliance with Moscow.

Understanding all this reveals that Tokayev’s actions are not impulsive—they represent a meticulously planned, multi-year strategy. He avoids direct confrontation with Russia, instead gradually and stealthily eroding Russian influence through incremental, low-visibility measures—like boiling a frog slowly—steadily reinforcing national sovereignty.

This seemingly mild etiquette reform actually proves that Kazakhstan’s de-russification has already penetrated everyday life and grassroots culture. When social customs, language, historical memory, and trade routes are all re-rooted in local identity, the centuries-long Russian sphere of influence in Central Asia will naturally disintegrate.

For Russia, this is a harsh reality: once firmly controlled heartland of the CIS is now systematically slipping from grasp. Great power rivalry isn’t won through brute force alone. Long-term decline and self-absorption only push neighboring partners to seek new paths.

Tokayev’s sweeping victory and bold new policies signal the definitive end of the old Central Asian order. The future Central Asia will no longer be Russia’s backyard—it will become a vibrant stage of autonomous development and diverse geopolitical competition.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1874473960794187/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.