Current:Home > NewsPutin visits Kazakhstan, part of his efforts to cement ties with ex-Soviet neighbors-LoTradeCoin
Putin visits Kazakhstan, part of his efforts to cement ties with ex-Soviet neighbors
View Date:2024-12-23 15:25:31
MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Kazakhstan on Thursday, part of his efforts to cement ties with the ex-Soviet neighbor and major economic partner in the midst of tensions with the West over Ukraine.
Putin’s talks in Kazakhstan’s capital of Astana follow his trip last month to Kyrgyzstan for a summit of ex-Soviet nations and a visit to China.
Speaking at the start of his talks with Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Putin hailed “multi-faceted” ties between the countries and said they would determine new areas of “strategic” cooperation.
Oil-rich Kazakhstan and other Central Asian nations have maintained a delicate balancing act, preserving strong economic ties with Moscow but refusing to recognize its annexation of Ukrainian regions.
The Russian leader has made few foreign trips since he sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. The International Criminal Court’s move to indict Putin in March for alleged war crimes connected to the deportation of children from Ukraine has affected his travel as any country that is party to the court is obliged to arrest him on its soil. Kazakstan isn’t part of the agreement that created the tribunal.
Putin’s trip to Kazakhstan comes days after French President Emmanuel Macron visited Astana and hailed Tokayev for withstanding geopolitical “pressures,” in a hint at Moscow’s efforts to keep the neighbor in its orbit.
Relations with Kazakhstan and other former Soviet republics in Central Asia have become increasingly important for Russia as it has sought new import routes to bypass bruising Western sanctions over its actions in Ukraine.
The U.S. and its allies have closely monitored Kazakhstan and other Central Asian nations to make sure they don’t serve as conduits for Russia to import Western high-tech products, bypassing the restrictions. Officials in Kazakstan and other countries in the region have repeatedly pledged to comply with the sanctions.
Russian officials, meanwhile, have voiced concern about what they describe as Western efforts to pull Moscow’s allies away from its orbit.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted last month that the West was aggressively courting Central Asian nations, offering them trade and economic benefits in order to discourage them from maintaining strong ties with Moscow.
He added that while countries of the region are free to choose their partners, Russia will try to protect Central Asian nations from “unscrupulous” overtures by the West.
veryGood! (84)
Related
- NBPA reaches Kyle Singler’s family after cryptic Instagram video draws concern
- Shooting in Tacoma, Washington leaves 2 dead, 3 wounded, alleged shooter turns himself in: Police
- Why one survivor of domestic violence wants the Supreme Court to uphold a gun control law
- How Melissa Gorga Has Found Peace Amid Ongoing Feud With Teresa Giudice
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Good Try (Freestyle)
- Kyle Richards Breaks Down in Tears While Addressing Mauricio Umansky Breakup
- Two person Michigan Lottery group wins $1 million from Powerball
- War took a Gaza doctor's car. Now he uses a bike to get to patients, sometimes carrying it over rubble.
- My Chemical Romance will perform 'The Black Parade' in full during 2025 tour: See dates
- Biden weighs in on Virginia midterm elections in last-minute push before Election Day
Ranking
- The 10 Best Cashmere Sweaters and Tops That Feel Luxuriously Soft and Are *Most Importantly* Affordable
- Washington's Zion Tupuola-Fetui has emotional moment talking about his dad after USC win
- Memphis pastor, former 'American Idol', 'Voice' contestant, facing identity theft charges
- USC fires defensive coordinator Alex Grinch after disastrous performance against Washington
- Oprah Winfrey Addresses Claim She Was Paid $1 Million by Kamala Harris' Campaign
- 4 men charged in theft of golden toilet from Churchill’s birthplace. It’s an artwork titled America
- Tyson recalls 30,000 pounds of chicken nuggets after consumers report finding metal pieces
- Another ex-player is alleging Blackhawks’ former video coach sexually assaulted him in 2009-10
Recommendation
-
Judge hears case over Montana rule blocking trans residents from changing sex on birth certificate
-
Biden weighs in on Virginia midterm elections in last-minute push before Election Day
-
Trump takes aim at DeSantis at Florida GOP summit
-
Polish president to appoint new prime minister after opposition coalition’s election win
-
Why the US celebrates Veterans Day and how the holiday has changed over time
-
Northeast China sees first major blizzard this season and forecasters warn of record snowfall
-
Man arrested in slaying of woman found decapitated in Northern California home, police say
-
Aid trickles in to Nepal villages struck by earthquake as survivors salvage belongings from rubble