Russia & Central Asia
Kaz Resources LLC and Cove Kaz Capital LLC Announce 2025 Work Programs to Advance Critical Minerals Projects in Kazakhstan
Kaz Resources and Cove Kaz Capital LLC, Portfolio companies of Cove Capital LLC, announced the launch of their respective 2025 work programs across their key critical mineral assets in Kazakhstan. These initiatives reflect a shared commitment to accelerating on-the-ground activity across our licensed concessions, tailings, and the joint venture projects with Kazakhstan’s national partners. Pini Althaus, CEO of Kaz Resources, commented: “The 2025 programs reflect the momentum we’ve built since entering Kazakhstan in 2023, and our intention to deliver tangible progress across our exploration assets, strategic tailings, and rare earths development. This is a coordinated step forward, aligned with Kazakhstan’s resource development goals, which include establishing a fully-integrated supply chain, and meeting US and global critical mineral supply chain needs.” Click here to read...
TIF hopes to contribute to hard infrastructure projects across Middle Corridor in long run - Baghdad Amreyev
Turkic Investment Fund hopes to contribute to hard infrastructure projects across Middle Corridor in the long run, Baghdad Amreyev, President of TIF, said as he was addressing the Global Transport Connectivity Forum held in Istanbul, Trend reports. He stated that the Middle Corridor is evolving into a central trade route, with regional governments increasing investment in transport and logistics infrastructure. He emphasized that these national efforts must be integrated into regional coordination and broader international cooperation to ensure the route becomes a more stable and competitive option for global cross-border trade. Highlighting the strategic directions of TIF, Baghdad Amreyev noted that supporting economic integration and connectivity of Turkic states is regarded as a core objective of the Fund. Click here to read...
President of Uzbekistan Participates in EAEU Summit
On 27 June, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Minsk, where he took part in the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council as the head of an observer state. The agenda focused on advancing multilateral trade and economic cooperation, supporting joint projects, and implementing collaborative programs in key partnership areas. In his address, President Mirziyoyev emphasized that deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with EAEU member states remains a priority of Uzbekistan's foreign economic policy. He expressed gratitude for the participation of EAEU delegations in the "Innoprom Central Asia" exhibition and the 4th Tashkent Investment Forum, which resulted in important agreements and outlined new project initiatives. Click here to read...
Kazakhstan Moves to Ban Face-Coverings in Public
On June 25, Kazakhstan’s Mazhilis, the lower house of parliament, approved amendments to the law “On the Prevention of Offenses,” introducing a new provision that prohibits wearing clothing that obscures the face in public places. While the regulation applies broadly, the most contentious element is its effective ban on the niqab, a religious garment that leaves only the eyes visible. This legislative move echoes ongoing debates in Kazakhstan and across Central Asia, where secular norms are enshrined in law but tensions persist over religious expression. Earlier, on June 19, Senator Nauryzbay Baikadamov clarified that the amendments would exempt face coverings worn for medical reasons, weather protection, or professional duties. According to Baikadamov, the law aims to enhance public safety and assist in crime prevention. Click here to read...
Moscow satisfied with EAEU summit in Minsk, says President Putin
Russia is satisfied with the results of the summit of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in the Belarusian capital of Minsk, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, "As for the results of our EAEU summit’s meeting today, we are satisfied with its outcome, we have summed up certain results," the Russian president said commenting on the 2025 EAEU summit’s results. The EAEU, established by a treaty signed in Astana on May 29, 2014, is an international organization focused on regional economic integration. Click here to read...
Iran and the South Caucasus
Azerbaijan cancels Russian events over 'extrajudicial killings' of 2 citizens in Russia's Yekaterinburg
Azerbaijan has cancelled all planned cultural events hosted alongside Russian state and private organizations, the country's Culture Ministry announced on June 29, over the deaths of two Azerbaijani citizens during police raids in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said on June 28 that Ziyaddin and Huseyn Safarov died during a raid carried out by Russian authorities. Azerbaijan called the killings "ethnically motivated public and deliberate unlawful actions" and said that Russia's action have "recently taken on a systematic nature." The raid was reportedly conducted amid an investigation into an unsolved 2001 murder. Several other people were injured in the raid and a total of nine individuals were detained. Tensions between Baku and Moscow have continued to sour in recent months since Russia's downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane that killed 67 passengers. Since then, Azerbaijani lawmaker have blamed Russia for February cyberattack, and the country's President Ilham Aliyev skipped out on attending Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow in May. Click here to read...
Armenian security services say attempted coup foiled, release evidence
Leaders of the opposition movement Sacred Struggle were allegedly planning terrorist acts and an illegal seizure of power, according to Armenia’s Investigative Committee. A criminal case has been opened. The committee stated that “V.G. intended to seize power through unconstitutional means.” V.G. refers to Vazgen Galstanyan — the secular name of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, the leader of the movement. Law enforcement officials said he “conspired with a number of movement members to acquire the necessary tools and equipment to carry out terrorist acts and seize power.” Click here to read...
Armenia, China seek enhanced strategic ties
The strategic nature and vision for the development of Armenian-Chinese relations were underscored during a meeting between Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan told Armenpress, “It is noteworthy that both countries emphasized the strategic nature and development vision of the relationship. Significant achievements have been recorded in recent years, including in the economy, trade, and other key areas. The current substance and dynamic development of bilateral ties allow us to speak about elevating them to a new level. I can gladly note that such political will exists, and work is being done on both sides,” Badalyan said. She added that the political dialogue between Armenia and China is not limited to the bilateral agenda alone. “Naturally, it includes regional topics, efforts toward ensuring predictability and peace, as well as opportunities for enhancing interconnectivity,” Badalyan said. Click here to read...
After High Hopes, Central Asia Views Iran Trade Routes with More Caution
Like some Central Asian neighbors, Uzbekistan is urgently reviewing possible changes to some trade routes because of conflict in the Middle East, even though that could entail sharply higher transport costs. The contingency planning follows a surge in trade talks between officials from Iran and countries in Central Asia earlier this year, prior to the intense strikes that Israel and Iran launched at each other this month. A ceasefire between Israel and Iran appeared to be holding on Wednesday, but questions remain about Iran’s ability to build a nuclear bomb even after the U.S. attacked Iranian nuclear sites. U.S. President Donald Trump said the sites were “obliterated,” but, according to some Western media organizations, a preliminary U.S. intelligence report concluded that the U.S. attacks may have only set back Iran’s nuclear program by months. A June 25 statement by the Central Intelligence Agency says that “Iran’s nuclear program has been severely damaged by the recent, targeted strikes.” Against this murky backdrop, and the partial uncertainty over Central Asia’s extensive web of trade links, Uzbekistan is reviewing transport and logistics arrangements to keep its economy and connections with international partners running as smoothly as possible. Click here to read...
