Putin to pay second state visit to Kazakhstan Thursday

Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay his second state visit to Kazakhstan in two years on Thursday for talks with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kremlin foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov said on Tuesday, noting that the unusually frequent visit reflects the exceptionally high level of bilateral relations.

Strategic cooperation

The visit, which includes participation in Eurasian Economic Union events, comes despite diplomatic protocol limiting state visits to one per presidential term — a restriction Moscow and Astana agreed to waive to highlight their partnership, Ushakov stated. Trade turnover between the neighbors reached a record $29 billion in 2025, with Russia accounting for approximately 19% of Kazakhstan's foreign commerce, he added.

Energy and infrastructure

Energy cooperation will dominate the agenda during the Putin-Tokayev discussions, with particular focus on expanding Russian oil transit routes through Kazakhstan and advancing infrastructure development. The leaders are expected to finalize an agreement for constructing Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant using Russian designs and financing, alongside 15 other bilateral documents including a joint declaration outlining seven principles of friendship, according to the Kremlin official.

Eurasian Economic Forum

More than 30 Russian officials and executives will join a 400-strong delegation attending the visit and related EAEU activities, Ushakov noted. On Thursday, Putin is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the 5th Eurasian Economic Forum focusing on digital transformation and artificial intelligence, while Friday's Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting will address economic security risks, including Armenia's potential pivot toward the European Union. During the visit, the leaders will also witness the symbolic launch of a Sirius educational center construction project in Astana and the release of four Amur tigers into the Ile-Balkhash nature reserve.