17-06-2025, 10:15 AM
(17-06-2025, 10:07 AM)Tee tiong huat Wrote:A increasing number of warnings,
have evolved into outright open threats from Russia, has pushed Kazakhstan govt to take decisive steps towards establishing an alliance with Western countries. From changing key trade partners to seeking new military alliances, Kazakhstan seems determined to ensure its stability in the case of any Russian escalation. Kazakhstan, long considered a critical strategic partner by Russia, is increasingly distancing itself from Moscow's orbit, underscoring a wider fracturing of Russian alliances in Central Asia. Russia’s or Putin reacted with a don't care not interested on interests in Kazakhstan, who w/military bases such as famed Baikonur Cosmodrome, a crucial facility for space launches. Kazakhstan's geographic proximity to vital Russian military installations, its abundant natural resources, including energy & minerals, have traditionally made it strategically significant to Moscow. Additionally, the considerable ethnic Russian population of approximately 20%, mostly, nearer to (concentrated) Kazakh-Russian border, periodically been leveraged by Russia as justification for exerting more influence or issuing veiled threats to maintain Kazakhstan’s as pro-Russian alignment. Russia used the same rhetoric to justify its war in Ukraine, as a cause to this people considerable concern for the Kazakh govt.
As President Putin made comments about Kazakhstan's territorial integrity, suggesting regional borders were a product of Soviet-era decisions and mentioning that Kazakhstan's current territorial makeup was not as historically valid as might seem. Recent dismissal of Kazakhstan's pro-Russian defense minister, Ruslan Zhaksylykov, for exemplifies a transition. Known for his overtly pro-Russian stance, he faced domestic criticism due to various scandals, including alleged corruption linked to military procurement, and controversial remarks during meetings with Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, wow!, He declared Russians similar to Russian narratives on Ukraine. His replacement by Dauren Kosanov, former Commander of the Air Defense Forces, signals a significant policy change. President Tokayev’s swift admin moves underscore an accelerated shift toward adopting Western military standards, demonstrated further by the country's increasingly frequent joint exercises with NATO nations such as Turkey & recent agreements with the United Kingdom.
Growing military cooperation between Kazakhstan and Western nations underscores Russia's diminishing influence. A signing of a defense cooperation agreement w/United Kingdom marks a significant step. It emphasizes peacekeeping training, English language education & enrollment of Kazakh officers in British military universities. Although officially presented as "soft power" initiatives, historically, such educational and training programs have been Britain's strategy for cultivating enduring influence abroad. Kazakhstan is also already participating in NATO-standard ammunition production projects, further illustrating its shift in defense orientation.
Historically, Kazakhstan, alongside Uzbekistan, has provided substantial amounts of cotton used to produce nitrocellulose, a vital component in Russian explosives and gunpowder. Despite Kazakhstan’s proclaimed neutrality, these exports were essential in maintaining Russia’s military-industrial capacity. However, recent indicators suggest Kazakhstan might redirect key military production exports towards NATO countries instead of Russia. Such a move would represent a serious blow to Russia's ability to sustain its prolonged military campaign in Ukraine, reflecting Kazakhstan’s intent to prioritize improved relations with the West over its traditional alignment with Moscow. Russian analysts and political circles have predictably expressed outrage, calling the steady reorientation to the West an act of betrayal and an erosion of Russia's traditionallydominant position in Central Asian security affairs seem go...going, gone.
Additionally, Kazakhstan is gradually enhancing economic and diplomatic relations with Euro Union. Discussions about easing visa controls are progressing slowly further symbolize Kazakhstan's shifting alignment.
https://youtu.be/ExrQXHVSprA?si=Zr7uLL7llDsVZ8vk