Bilateral trade rose more than 9% in early 2026 as Moscow and Astana advanced new cooperation agreements.

Russia and Kazakhstan reaffirmed their strategic partnership on Thursday, highlighting expanding trade, investment cooperation and coordination on international issues during talks between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana.

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Putin described Kazakhstan as one of Russia’s leading trade partners and said bilateral relations continue to develop on the basis of equality and broad cooperation. He noted that the two governments have prepared a substantial package of agreements for signing.

According to the Russian president, trade between the two countries exceeded $28 billion in 2025 and grew by more than 9% during the first quarter of 2026.

Putin also highlighted a joint statement on seven principles of friendship and good-neighborliness expected to be adopted by both countries. The framework covers historical cooperation, Eurasian integration, border cooperation, economic partnership, cultural and linguistic diversity, youth and educational exchanges, sports cooperation and a shared vision for the future.

CHECKPOINT: Russia–Kazakhstan Cooperation at a Glance

• Bilateral trade exceeded $28 billion in 2025.
• Trade increased by more than 9% in the first quarter of 2026.
• Russian direct investment in Kazakhstan totals $29 billion.
• The two countries are implementing 177 joint projects.
• Combined investment in those projects stands at approximately $53 billion.
• Both governments are set to adopt a declaration based on seven principles of friendship and good-neighborliness.

Tokayev said Russia remains the largest source of direct investment in Kazakhstan’s economy and pledged continued cooperation. “Russia is currently the leader in direct investment in our economy: $29 billion. And we will continue to work in this vein.”

The Kazakh president said economic cooperation continues to expand despite global challenges and that bilateral trade is approaching a new record. “Despite the challenging global situation, our cooperation, particularly in the economic sphere, is developing successfully, and trade volume is growing… The volume of trade [between Kazakhstan and Russia] is reaching record levels – around $30 billion,” Tokayev said.

He added that Kazakhstan and Russia continue to coordinate closely on international affairs. “We interact and cooperate on almost all international matters.”

Tokayev described Putin’s visit as confirmation of the close relationship between the two countries. “I regard this visit as a confirmation of the special relations between our states, in the spirit of comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance. For Kazakhstan, friendly and close relations with Russia are of paramount importance.”

“We held fairly successful negotiations in a narrow format, and confirmed our mutual commitment to strengthening our multifaceted partnership,” Tokayev said.

Putin arrived in Kazakhstan on Wednesday for a state visit accompanied by a delegation of more than 30 officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk and nine federal ministers.

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