Russian President Putin arrives in Kazakhstan for high-level state visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin travelled to Astana for the second time this year, this time on a state visit to Kazakhstan, the highest level of diplomatic protocol.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President Putin will participate in the XX Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia via videoconference, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

The official proceedings of the visit will be held at the Kazakh presidential residence, Akorda, where the two leaders will engage in discussions throughout the day. They are set to meet in small groups and with delegations, attend the signing of joint agreements, and deliver remarks via video link at the plenary session of the 20th-anniversary forum of interregional cooperation being held on November 26-27 in Ufa, as well as at the opening of a branch of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University at Omsk State University, named after Dostoevsky.

On November 28, Tokayev will chair a session of the CSTO Collective Security Council, where delegations from member states will address pressing regional and international security issues. Several documents are expected to be adopted during the session.

Ahead of Putin’s visit, Kazakh President Tokayev published an article in the Russian newspaper Izvestia titled “Kazakhstan and Russia: New Horizons of Strategic Partnership.” In the article, Tokayev highlights that the relationship between the two countries is an exemplary model of "strong and unbreakable friendship." Tokayev emphasized that despite global challenges, Kazakhstan and Russia continue to exemplify good neighbourliness and multifaceted cooperation, rooted in mutual respect, shared interests, and high-level political dialogue.

Tokayev reassured that Kazakhstan "has been and remains a reliable strategic partner and ally of Russia" during this tumultuous period marked by conflicts and crises.

This marks President Putin's 35th visit to Kazakhstan.

By Tamilla Hasanova