To mark the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine last week and the recent death of Russia opposition politician Alexei Navalny, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced sanctions on almost 300 individuals and entities. Embedded in the list were a handful of Central Asian companies. The latest … Read more
In his second visit to the countries of the region this year, EU Sanctions Envoy David O’Sullivan traveled to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan this week. In Astana, he noted positive change. “We are grateful to the Kazakh authorities for decreasing the re-export of items, which are likely to end up in Russian military equipment,” he said. … Read more
Bogged down in Ukraine, isolated from the West, and abandoned by some of its nominal allies, Russia seems to desperately seek to keep energy-rich Kazakhstan in its geopolitical orbit. Although the Central Asian nation at times appears to be attempting to distance itself from the Kremlin, Astana might soon be under pressure to show more … Read more
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit Kazakhstan on November 9 for an official visit. Putin’s trip marks just his third international foray in 2023, after visits last month to Kyrgyzstan and China, and comes on the heels of French President Emmanuel Macron’s trip through Central Asia, including a stop in Astana. The Kazakh … Read more
Advertisement A pair of Russian citizens have been granted asylum-seeker status in Kazakhstan, pausing extradition proceedings against them. But there is no guarantee they will ultimately be granted asylum. Aikhal Ammosov and Natalya Narskaya, both Russian citizens, are detained in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and wanted by Moscow. Narskaya, a vocal teacher from Moscow, was detained in … Read more
Advertisement During a recent visit to Germany, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made several conflicting statements. Tokayev stated that, on the one hand, Kazakhstan will pursue comprehensive cooperation with Russia, while on the other hand, it will adhere to the sanctions imposed against Russia. Why do these these promises contradict each other? Because it is … Read more
Advertisement The Russian fake news machine continues to operate, fabricating lies not only about Ukraine and NATO member states but even about neighboring states whose governments have cordial relations with Moscow. A recent fake news post about Kazakhstan in a Russian Telegram channel highlights how Astana must continue to walk a fine line regarding its interactions with … Read more
Advertisement Central Asia remains geopolitically stuck between the East and West amid the Russian war in Ukraine. The cases of Russians detained in the region for various reasons, and facing possible extradition in either direction, are particularly interesting to track. But drawing conclusions about alignment from them is a fool’s game. Russian IT expert Nikita … Read more
Advertisement Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has changed the flow of music performances, sending an increasing number of Russian, Ukrainian, and Western singers to Central Asia. In June, concerts by Russian performers planned in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan were canceled. The range of actors responsible for the concert cancellations and their motivations for … Read more
Advertisement In recent months, growing tensions between Washington and Moscow as well as intensified attacks in Ukraine have raised questions over the role of Russia’s neighbors, particularly Kazakhstan. In Washington and Europe, leaders are now considering the potential for secondary sanctions on countries found to be helping Russia obtain prohibited goods. In looking to achieve … Read more