From Honor Huard to Friendship Square: How Moscow Welcomed Toqayev

Qasym-Jomart Toqayev arrived in Moscow on a state visit at the invitation of Vladimir Putin, Orda.kz reports.

Putin did not personally meet the Kazakh president at the airport. Instead, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov greeted him. Toqayev was received with full protocol honors — an honor guard, a military band, and the national anthems of both countries.

As expected, protocol has been adhered to. The streets of Moscow are greeting the President of Kazakhstan during his state visit to Russia with an appropriate address,
political scientist Gaziz Abishev commented on Telegram.

In Astana, during Putin’s previous visit, similar banners welcomed the Russian leader.

That same day, the Kazakhstan–Russia Friendship Square was officially opened in Moscow near the Alma-Atinskaya metro station, timed to coincide with Toqayev’s visit.

The ceremony was attended by Kazakhstan’s Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Andrei Yatskin, diplomats, and cultural figures from both countries.

Original Author: Zarina Fayzulina