Moscow, Nov 12 (EFE).— Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh leader Kassym-Jomart Tokayev strengthened bilateral relations Wednesday with the signing at the Kremlin of a declaration on alliance and strategic partnership, held one week after the Central Asian president visited the White House.
Tokayev said the document holds “historic significance,” as it reflects “unshakeable mutual trust and broad prospects for cooperation between our peoples.”
He thanked Putin for his personal contribution to deepening bilateral relations and called him “a statesman of global stature.”
Strengthening cooperation after U.S. visit
Tokayev’s visit to Russia came days after his trip to the United States, where he attended a U.S.–Central Asia summit chaired by President Donald Trump.
He said negotiations with Putin, which began Tuesday with an informal meeting and continued Wednesday with both delegations, were “frank” and “productive.”
Expanding energy partnership
A key topic was energy cooperation, particularly in oil and gas production and transit.
“We agreed to strengthen our alliance in the production, transport and supply of oil and petroleum products, coal and electricity. We examined in detail gas cooperation, in particular the supply of gas to Kazakh regions bordering Russia and its transit to third countries,” Tokayev said.
According to the declaration, Moscow and Astana pledged to create conditions for the unhindered transport of energy resources and for joint projects, including a partnership in the exploration and development of new deposits.
Both sides will also prioritize cooperation in the gas sector, including the protection of cross-border infrastructure.
Managing sanctions and maintaining trust
Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said his government is working to ensure that U.S. sanctions on Russian oil firm Lukoil, present in Kazakhstan since 1995, do not affect exploration at the Karachaganak field.
“No external challenge can destroy, much less undermine, the strong foundation of mutual trust between Russia and Kazakhstan,” Tokayev said.
Putin, who welcomed Tokayev with full honors at the Grand Kremlin Palace, said Russia is considering increasing gas supplies to Kazakhstan and expanding cooperation on rare earth metals, a topic Tokayev discussed recently with Trump in Washington.
Economic and investment outlook
“We are raising our relations to a higher level, and we are very pleased,” Putin said.
Official data show Russia is among Kazakhstan’s top three trade partners, with bilateral trade totaling nearly $30 billion.
Russia is also a major investor in Kazakhstan, with $4 billion in projects involving Lukoil and Gazprom. EFE