Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Kazakhstan on Wednesday for a two-day visit aimed at bolstering ties with the Central Asian nation, a member of the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). This comes as the Ukraine war continues to strain Russia's international relations.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has taken a cautious stance on the conflict, refraining from outright support. In a piece published in Izvestia before Putin's visit, Tokayev underscored his commitment to "peaceful dialogue" without referencing Ukraine directly.

Similarly, Putin emphasized shared "cultural, spiritual, and moral values" in an article for a Kazakh state-run paper, expressing his readiness to deepen the "friendly and allied relations" between the two nations.

Despite these overtures, economic ties between Russia and Kazakhstan have seen strain. Recently, Moscow imposed restrictions on Kazakh agricultural exports after Kazakhstan declined to join the BRICS alliance, which Putin has championed as a counterbalance to Western dominance.

Ukraine Conflict and Energy on the Agenda

Putin’s visit includes discussions on trade, energy cooperation, and the construction of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant, a project Russia’s Rosatom is vying to undertake. Though Kazakhstan produces 43% of the world's uranium, it currently has no nuclear reactors.

The trip also coincides with heightened tensions between Moscow and the West. Russia recently tested a hypersonic missile against Ukraine, while Kyiv employed long-range Western-supplied missiles for the first time in counterattacks.

At a CSTO summit scheduled for Thursday in Astana, leaders will address regional security and the escalating conflict in Ukraine. Notably absent from the meeting is Armenia, which suspended its membership due to dissatisfaction with Moscow’s response to its tensions with Azerbaijan.

Despite these challenges, Putin reiterated Rosatom’s readiness for “new large-scale projects” with Kazakhstan and plans to finalize several agreements during his visit. His focus on Central Asia signals a continued effort to reinforce alliances amidst ongoing geopolitical strife.