Kazakhstan: The world leaders of Russia, Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan are visiting Central Asia amid renewed interest in the region.
Mr. Vladimir Putin arrived in Astana, Kazakhstan for a meeting with President Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Just a week ago, French President Mr. Emmanuel Macron visited Kazakhstan to speed up economic cooperation.
At the moment, Turkey’s leader, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iran’s President, Mr. Ebrahim Raisi, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Mr. Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, are in Uzbekistan for a regional economic summit.
Their involvement indicates that the former Soviet countries are seeking new partnerships as Russia’s influence in the region declines.
Despite any other factors, Mr. Putin and Mr. Tokayev expressed admiration for the strong relationship between their countries ahead of their scheduled meeting in Astana.
“Our strategic partnership is truly forward-looking,” Mr. Putin said. Mr. Tokayev termed it an “alliance with a rich past and a bright future.”
Over 30 years after the Soviet Union’s collapse and amid Russia’s ongoing 20-month war with Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other Central Asian nations are looking to form partnerships with different global powers.
China has emerged as a significant partner in the entire region through its expansive Belt and Road Initiative, a major infrastructure project. Mr. Putin’s visit to Kazakhstan follows French President Mr. Emmanuel Macron’s trip, while the European Union, the United States, Iran, and Turkey aim to bolster connections in the region.
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