Tokayev and Putin Discuss Ukraine, Nuclear Power Plant and Trade: Key Takeaways

During a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed returning to the Istanbul agreements aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine, Orda.kz reports.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Omsk.

Trade and economic cooperation between the two countries was one of the main topics. Tokayev said trade between Kazakhstan and Russia reached about $28 billion in 2025. He also noted that Russia had become Kazakhstan’s largest investor, with total investment approaching $30 billion.

The leaders separately discussed the construction of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant. Tokayev said preparatory work at the site near Lake Balkhash was nearing completion. He added that Kazakhstan planned to train its own nuclear energy specialists with Russian support.

Tokayev also addressed the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He described it as an interstate conflict rather than a civil war and proposed considering a return to the Istanbul negotiation framework.

Perhaps it is time to freeze this conflict and return to the Istanbul Formula 2.0, since significant progress was made there. Then, naturally, with guarantees from major powers, including Russia, the parties could continue moving toward long-awaited peace. Kazakhstan is not an outside country. At the same time, despite all the proposals and appeals, I categorically refuse to act as a mediator because I know that he can handle all the issues on the agenda without intermediaries. Still, I decided to express my modest opinion today because people knew I was planning to be in Omsk and knew about our meeting. No one knows how to resolve the situation because the sides have their own positions. On the other hand, there is an opportunity to freeze the whole matter,Tokayev said.

Video: TASS

Putin, in turn, spoke about growing economic cooperation between the two countries. He said bilateral trade increased by more than 4% in the first five months of 2026. The Russian president also said that Russian businesses were involved in 70 joint projects in Kazakhstan worth about $30 billion.

The two sides also discussed cooperation in energy, transportation, agriculture, space and humanitarian affairs. Putin noted the opening of a branch of Kazakh National University in Omsk and the development of educational ties between the countries.

The talks took place during the 22nd Kazakhstan–Russia Interregional Cooperation Forum.

Original author: Rustam Muratov

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