Ukraine has been one of Kazakhstan’s top five import partners fairly consistently over the past decade. That trade, however, has been increasingly imperiled by tensions between Europe and Russia, with Ukraine as the crux. Kazakhstan continues to be put in an awkward position between its wider economic interests, its close relationship with Russia, and the (perhaps unintended) consequences of Russia’s trade tussles with Europe.
The Diplomat: From Ukraine to Kazakhstan, avoiding Russia
Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev (R) shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a welcoming ceremony in Astana on Oct. 15, 2015.
