Kazakhstan asserts independence amid pressure from Russian sanctions
The government of Kazakhstan firmly disagrees with Russia using its territory to circumvent international sanctions. Kazakhstan's Deputy Foreign Minister, Roman Vasylenko, presented this position. Earlier, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated that "Astana does not support anti-Russian sanctions but complies with them."
24 October 2024 14:56
The authorities of Kazakhstan oppose Russia's use of the country's territory to bypass international sanctions, reported Ukrainska Pravda and the Moscow Times on Thursday.
-Kazakhstan shares the longest land border in the world with Russia and is considered an ally of Moscow. Both countries are members of political and military alliances. Many experts claim Kazakhstan assists Russia in evading sanctions imposed by Western countries and is a key transit point for "dual-use" goods imported by Russia, said the Deputy Head of Kazakhstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Roman Vasylenko, in an interview with PAP.
The Deputy Minister emphasised that Kazakhstan's position is "known and clear" to all interested parties, both in Russia and the West. He added that all necessary measures are being taken to prevent the bypassing of sanctions because Kazakhstan "does not want secondary sanctions" imposed on itself.
Kazakhstan fears secondary sanctions, cautiously distances itself from Russia
Vasylenko stressed that all necessary actions are being taken to prevent sanction circumvention, as the republic "does not want to introduce secondary sanctions". He also noted that in bilateral relations between Astana and Moscow "there are no problems," but there are "various issues," as the relations between the two neighbouring states are "very diverse."
Earlier, Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister, Serik Zhumangarin, stated that Astana does not support anti-Russian sanctions but complies with them "because it is beneficial from an economic standpoint". - We obviously have a small economy, so we cannot withstand the sanctions pressure, explained Zhumangarin.
Despite President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev receiving such proposals, Kazakhstan does not plan to join BRICS.
As observers note, authorities are increasingly distancing themselves from Russia, and Kazakhstan is trying to strengthen its ties with the West. The adviser and press secretary to the president, Berik Uali, informed that Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is guided by Kazakhstan's national interests and prioritises membership in the UN.
Source: PAP/Ukrainska Pravda/WP
