Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a joint declaration on seven principles of friendship between Russia and Kazakhstan during talks in Astana on Thursday, May 28.
According to the Russian state outlet RBC, the declaration outlines seven core principles intended to guide long-term relations between Moscow and Astana, including shared history, economic cooperation, Eurasian integration and cultural ties.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the principles include “a common history and a responsible approach to its objective understanding in the spirit of friendship and good neighborliness,” as well as joint efforts to strengthen regional cooperation and security.
Other principles listed in the declaration include the countries’ shared border, economic partnership, cultural and linguistic diversity, educational exchanges, sports cooperation and a “joint vision for the future.”
Russia also signed a deal to construct a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan by 2035-36 – the first in the country since the collapse of the USSR, according to The Moscow Times. Reuters previously reported that Russia is expected to finance 85% of the project.
Tokayev praises declaration
During the talks, Tokayev described the document as an important step reflecting the nature of bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Russia.
“This document reflects the spirit of our relations and reinforces our shared commitment to deepening them on a solid and long-term basis,” Tokayev said.
Putin said relations between Russia and Kazakhstan had reached the level of a “comprehensive strategic partnership.”
He added that the sides prepared a broad package of intergovernmental, interagency and commercial agreements covering sectors ranging from energy and economics to cultural and humanitarian projects.
Kazakhstan has served as a major sanctions-evasion hub for Moscow, where sanctioned components continue to flow into Russia via Central Asia.
Despite recent reports of Kazakhstan’s new export controls amid fears of secondary sanctions, the latest “friendship” documents are yet another sign that Astana has maintained close ties with Moscow.
In late April, Russia said it would stop transporting Kazakh oil to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline starting May 1, citing “technical capabilities.” Russia also maintains access to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan under a long lease, and recently conducted the first test launch of its new Soyuz‑5 rocket at the site.
Eurasian summit in Kazakhstan
Putin’s state visit to Kazakhstan began on Tuesday, May 27, and will continue through May 29 as part of events linked to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) summit.
Official ceremonies with the Russian delegation and EAEU meetings are scheduled throughout the visit, including a session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on the final day.
The Russian delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, presidential administration official Maxim Oreshkin, Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev, according to RBC.
The trip marks Putin’s second state visit to Kazakhstan during his current presidential term.
Armenia’s EU ambitions expected to dominate summit
The summit is also expected to address Armenia’s growing push toward closer ties with the European Union, an issue the Kremlin has increasingly criticized ahead of Armenia’s June 7 elections.
“Putin has repeatedly stressed that it is impossible to belong to two associations simultaneously. It simply will not work,” Ushakov said ahead of Putin’s visit.
The comments echoed previous warnings from Putin, who earlier suggested Armenia could face a “Ukrainian scenario” if it moved further away from Moscow.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is not attending the summit and instead sent Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan to represent Yerevan.
Relations between Moscow and Yerevan have deteriorated since Armenia accused Russian peacekeepers of failing to stop Azerbaijan from retaking Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023.
Earlier this month, Pashinyan said Armenia is “not an ally of Russia on the issue of Ukraine” while reaffirming that the country remains a “full-fledged member” of the EAEU.