Preparations for Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to Kazakhstan were a central focus of talks in Astana between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The meeting comes as both sides seek to maintain momentum in bilateral relations and move from political agreements to practical cooperation. Tokayev emphasised the importance of implementing earlier commitments, particularly in trade, investment and humanitarian exchanges.
Against this backdrop, preparations for Putin’s planned state visit at the end of May have gained added significance. Officials in Astana view the visit as an opportunity to reinforce existing ties and set the tone for future engagement.
Economic cooperation remains a key pillar of the relationship. Russia is one of Kazakhstan’s leading trading partners, with bilateral trade exceeding $27 billion last year. A broad range of joint projects is also under way, highlighting the depth of economic interdependence between the two countries.
Building on this, the sides approved a cooperation plan between their foreign ministries for 2027 to 2028, signalling an intention to sustain regular dialogue at the diplomatic level.
Alongside bilateral issues, the talks also touched on the wider international agenda, including the war in Ukraine. Speaking after the meeting, Lavrov said Russia values what he described as Kazakhstan’s “balanced approach” to the situation. He added that Russia remains interested in resuming negotiations, including on the basis of earlier understandings with the United States.
Kazakhstan, for its part, has previously said it is ready to host potential talks between Russia and Ukraine, positioning itself as a possible venue for dialogue aimed at ending the conflict.
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