Tokayev, Putin Discuss Expanding Kazakhstan-Russia Strategic Cooperation at Omsk Meeting

Omsk, The Gulf Observer: President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Omsk, where the two leaders reviewed a broad range of bilateral issues and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening strategic cooperation between the neighboring countries.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 22nd Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia.

President Tokayev thanked President Putin for the warm welcome and said the meeting provided an important opportunity to continue substantive dialogue on key areas of bilateral cooperation and identify further steps to deepen the partnership.

Highlighting the strong economic relationship between the two countries, Tokayev described Russia as one of Kazakhstan’s largest trading partners.

“We are very large trade partners. In 2025, the volume of trade reached around $28 billion, and the trend this year is very positive. Compared with the first five months of 2025, these five months have shown good growth in mutual trade,” he said.

The Kazakh President also emphasized Russia’s position as one of the leading investors in Kazakhstan, noting that cumulative Russian investment in the country’s economy has reached nearly $30 billion.

Tokayev said Kazakhstan and Russia have jointly identified a portfolio of 177 promising industrial projects, with 122 projects already implemented. The combined value of these initiatives stands at approximately $53 billion.

“This is a significant volume, especially considering the challenging geopolitical conditions of today,” he remarked.

The Kazakh leader also praised the growing humanitarian cooperation between the two countries and thanked President Putin for supporting the establishment of a branch of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Omsk, describing it as an important step toward expanding educational and cultural ties.

During the meeting, Tokayev highlighted progress on the joint project to build Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant near Lake Balkhash.

“I was informed that field work at the site near Lake Balkhash is nearing completion. This project is not only about producing a new type of energy in Kazakhstan. It is a project that will bring our countries and, most importantly, our peoples closer together, particularly the younger generation,” he said.

He added that cooperation with Russia in the nuclear energy sector would also contribute to the training of highly qualified Kazakh specialists capable of working in the country’s emerging nuclear industry.

The meeting reaffirmed the strong strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Russia, with both leaders emphasizing continued collaboration in trade, investment, industry, education, and energy to promote long-term regional development and mutual prosperity.