Kazakhstan’s Leader Opens Up on Ukraine and U.S. Ties in Rare Interviews

From balancing Russia to courting Washington, Tokayev’s candid interviews reveal Kazakhstan’s high-stakes diplomacy. What does his pragmatic stance mean for global alliances?

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2025 November 7 . 11:07 PM

1 min read

In this image there is a conference in which there are people sitting in chair and listening to the... — In this image there is a conference in which there are people sitting in chair and listening to the people who are on the stage. It seems like an event in which there is a conversation between the media people and the owners. At the background there is a big hoarding and the wall beside it.

Kazakhstan’s Leader Opens Up on Ukraine and U.S. Ties in Rare Interviews

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev recently sat down with major U.S. outlets, The Washington Post and The New York Times, discussing a range of topics including the situation in Ukraine, Kazakh-U.S. relations, and the political course of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

In the interviews, Tokayev touched on the complex geopolitical developments unfolding in Ukraine. While he has not explicitly detailed his stance on the current events, Kazakhstan under his leadership has maintained a pragmatic foreign policy. This approach aims to balance relations with Russia and other global partners, steering clear of direct confrontation while expanding international ties.

Tokayev also delved into Kazakh-U.S. relations, highlighting the importance of this partnership. He discussed his recent U.S. trip, addressing key aspects of his visit and the progress made in bilateral relations.

President Tokayev's interviews with U.S. outlets have provided insights into Kazakhstan's nuanced stance on global issues, particularly the situation in Ukraine. His pragmatic approach to foreign policy, balancing relations with key players, has been a hallmark of his leadership. The interviews also underscored the significance of Kazakh-U.S. relations and the progress made during his U.S. trip.