Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev set to visit Russia on Wednesday

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is preparing for a state visit to Moscow on 12 November, highlighting the continued engagement between the two countries.

Ahead of the trip, Tokayev met with Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov at the Akorda Presidential Palace on Monday.

Their discussions focused on key areas of bilateral cooperation in areas such as economy and infrastructure, setting the stage for the upcoming official meetings in Moscow.

During the meeting, Tokayev reaffirmed the country’s goal of increasing trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Russia to $30 billion a target previously agreed with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to the Kazakh leader, Russia remains one of the largest investors in Kazakhstan’s economy, with total investments hitting $4 billion in 2024.

The visit carries the status of a state visit, the highest level for foreign trips by the Kazakh President and will include a series of official ceremonies and high-level meetings.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described the visit as an event of international significance, underlining its relevance for wider regional cooperation.

A central topic of discussion is the North-South international transport corridor, which links Europe to the Persian Gulf via Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. Last year, almost 2.5 million tonnes of cargo passed through Kazakhstan along this route.

Tokayev proposed a joint programme for investment and infrastructure support of the corridor’s eastern branch, with the aim of doubling its capacity by 2027 and unlocking its full economic potential.

Bilateral engagement has also been frequent in recent months; Tokayev and Putin held three phone conversations over the last month, and in total, the leaders have met four times this year.

Last year, Putin visited Kazakhstan, during which several intergovernmental, interagency and commercial agreements were signed, reflecting ongoing cooperation across multiple sectors.

The visit also comes as Russia prepares for a Security Council meeting next week to address internal and external policy priorities. The council serves as a key advisory body on defence, foreign policy and economic stability.

Kazakhstan and Russia maintain close ties within the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Eurasian Economic Union. Regular high-level exchanges underline the countries’ commitment to political dialogue and joint action on regional challenges.

Analysts suggest the upcoming visit will advance trade and infrastructure projects, particularly the North-South corridor, while reinforcing the strategic partnership that underpins cooperation in political, economic and security matters.

Copied