Julie Stufft Outlines Priorities as U.S. Ambassador Nominee to Kazakhstan

Julie Stufft, the nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan, has outlined her key priorities during a confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

If confirmed, she stated she would focus on countering Russian and Chinese influence in Kazakhstan and supporting the country in finding alternative export routes, Orda.kz reports.

At the hearing, Stufft presented her approach to strengthening bilateral ties and promoting U.S. interests in the region. She emphasized her intention to work closely with President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, should they return to office, to ensure the safety of U.S. citizens in Kazakhstan and expand cooperation between the two countries.

The government and people of Kazakhstan have appreciated America’s support since 1991, when we were the first country to recognize their independence. We helped Kazakhstan eliminate Soviet nuclear and biological weapons and infrastructure. Soon after, U.S. energy companies made multi-billion-dollar investments that still benefit both countries. Today, we’re on the threshold of a new era of commercial and energy cooperation with Kazakhstan, a global leader in uranium production, a major oil exporter, and holder of vast reserves of critical minerals. If confirmed, I will work with the Department’s Bureau of Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, U.S. EXIM Bank, and the private sector, to make the United States more prosperous by fostering deeper bilateral economic ties, including through U.S. investment in energy, technology, and infrastructure,
 said Julie Stufft.

She noted that, if appointed, she would promote U.S. economic interests in Kazakhstan by encouraging investment in energy, technology, and infrastructure.

At the same time, she stressed the importance of limiting Russian and Chinese influence.

Russia looms over Kazakhstan across the world’s longest land border, with China trying to dominate the telecommunications and extractive sectors. The United States benefits from a Kazakhstan that is stable, independent, and prosperous. Kazakhstan is a solid partner to the United States in other areas, including improving export controls to curb Russian sanctions avoidance and making essential contributions to the C5+1 diplomatic platform,
 Stufft said.

She also pointed to the need for Kazakhstan to diversify its export routes, specifically those that bypass Russia. This likely refers to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which currently handles the majority of Kazakhstan’s oil exports and is subject to potential disruption by the Russian Federation.

In addition to expanding export options, Stufft listed critical mineral investment and defence cooperation as other key areas of focus.

Julie Stufft has more than 25 years of diplomatic experience, having worked in Russia, Moldova, Poland, Ethiopia, and Djibouti.

She speaks Russian, Romanian, French, and Polish. She is currently the leading candidate to succeed Daniel Rosenblum, who ended his 28-year diplomatic career in January after serving as U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan.

Original Author: Nikita Drobny