Russia and Kazakhstan

A Special Relationship

Author(s): Stina Torjesen
Editor(s): Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perovic, Heiko Pleines, Hans-Henning Schröder
Series: Russian Analytical Digest (RAD)
Issue: 56
Pages: 6-8
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich; Research Centre for East European Studies, University of Bremen
Publication Year: 2009

Kazakhstan and Russia have maintained close relations since Kazakhstan's independence in 1991. Both domestic and inter-state factors underpin this phenomenon. Still, despite the close and constructive relations, Kazakhstan has retained considerable room for maneuver and has deviated from the Russian agenda in the region on several important points, such as energy transportation, and - perhaps more surprisingly - by agreeing to military cooperation with NATO.

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