Russia & Central Asia
Meloni’s latest ‘bridge’: from Europe to Central Asia
The Italian prime minister might call herself Europe's bridge-builder-in-chief. She has sought to act as a conduit between the EU and US President Donald Trump amid fraught trade relations, and has even tried to rescue the ill-fated actual bridge over the Strait of Messina, connecting Italy's mainland to Sicily. Now, she's trying to build another: connecting the EU and Central Asia. During her two-day tour to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, Meloni signed trade and cooperation agreements estimated to be worth over €7 billion – €4 billion of which came from deals with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The trip concluded on Friday with the “Italy–Central Asia” summit in the Kazakh capital, where Meloni met leaders from all five Central Asian republics. Click here to read...
Russia sets out punitive terms at peace talks with Ukraine
Russia told Ukraine at peace talks on Monday that it would only agree to end the war if Kyiv gives up big new chunks of territory and accepts limits on the size of its army, according to a memorandum reported by Russian media. The terms, formally presented at negotiations in Istanbul, highlighted Moscow's refusal to compromise on its longstanding war goals despite calls by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the "bloodbath" in Ukraine.Ukraine has repeatedly rejected the Russian conditions as tantamount to surrender. Delegations from the warring sides met for barely an hour, for only the second such round of negotiations since March 2022. They agreed to exchange more prisoners of war - focusing on the youngest and most severely wounded - and return the bodies of 12,000 dead soldiers. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan described it as a great meeting and said he hoped to bring together Russia's Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy for a meeting in Turkey with Trump. Click here to read...
Uzbekistan opens new trade route to Mongolia via Kyrgyzstan and China
Uzbekistan has launched a new road freight route to Mongolia, the Ministry of Transport reported. The ministry, in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has organized a pilot shipment via the Uzbekistan–Kyrgyzstan–China–Mongolia corridor. The initiative is designed to help domestic businesses expand into new markets and develop alternative trade routes. The new route is expected to increase the volume of freight transport between the countries involved and reduce delivery times. It will also allow Uzbek companies to expand the geography of their trade relationships. Click here to read...
How the Shallowing of the Caspian Sea Will Affect Kazakhstan’s Ecology and Economy
At the 28th session of the Caspian Hydrometeorological Coordination Committee, it was reported that in November 2024, the average sea level stood at -29.03 meters relative to the Baltic elevation system. This marks the lowest level since 1977 when the sea dropped to -29.18 meters. Historical records indicate that between 1930 and 1977, the Caspian Sea experienced a significant decline due to the large-scale hydro-technical regulation of the Volga and Ural rivers. A temporary recovery followed between 1978 and 1995, with levels rising to -26.4 meters. However, since 2006, the sea has been steadily receding once more. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the surface area of the Caspian has shrunk from 390,000 to 360,000 square kilometers in the past 18 years, with the northeastern shoreline most severely affected. Without a reversal like the sea-level rise of 1978, Kazakhstan could face severe consequences. These include the cessation of shipping, collapse of marine ecosystems, and potential mass displacements. Click here to read...
Indian PM meets with the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan
The Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan, had a joint call on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The Ministers briefed the Prime Minister on the positive and productive discussions held during the 4th Meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue, that was held in New Delhi, earlier during the day. Prime Minister emphasised that relations with the Central Asian countries have always been a key priority for India. Building upon the strong foundation of our historic people-to-people ties, he shared his vision for greater economic interconnections, expanded connectivity, enhanced defence and security cooperation, and comprehensive collaboration in new and emerging areas. Click here to read...
Rosatom Selected to Build Kazakhstan’s First Nuclear Power Plant
Kazakhstan has announced that the Russian nuclear energy corporation Rosatom will take the lead in constructing the country’s first nuclear power plant. This landmark project, which was greenlit following a national referendum, signals Kazakhstan’s commitment to diversifying its energy sources and marks a significant step in its energy strategy following years of massive energy deficits, which are projected to reach 3.3 billion kWh in 2025. The nuclear power plant will consist of two reactors and will be built near the village of Ulken, on the western shore of Lake Balkhash, approximately 400 kilometers northwest of Almaty. The plant is expected to have an electricity generation capacity of 2.4 gigawatts by 2035, meeting a significant portion of Kazakhstan’s future energy needs. This project will restore Kazakhstan’s nuclear power generation, which has been absent since the closure of the BN-350 reactor in 1999. Click here to read...
Kyrgyzstan Seeks Clarity from U.S. on Possible Travel Restrictions
Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it plans to summon the top diplomat at the U.S. Embassy to clarify whether and on what grounds the United States will impose restrictions on Kyrgyz nationals seeking to enter the country. In a statement released on Sunday, the ministry responded to a U.S. media report that Kyrgyzstan might be in a group of countries whose citizens could be subject to restrictions and bans similar to those imposed on Turkmenistan and other nations earlier this month. “Today, the United States continues to review immigration laws aimed at ensuring security and regulating the entry of foreign citizens into the country. At present, there has been no official information from the United States regarding the introduction of any restrictions on citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic,” the ministry said. Click here to read...
Iran and the South Caucasus
Kazakh FM Visits Iran to Bolster Bilateral Ties
Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu paid an official visit to Iran and held talks with Iranian top officials on June 7, reported the Foreign Ministry’s press service. During a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the officials discussed key areas of cooperation, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. Nurtleu conveyed warm greetings and Eid al-Adha congratulations from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, emphasizing the importance of boosting trade and economic ties. The sides noted that bilateral trade turnover increased by 50% by the end of 2024 and confirmed interest in further expanding it. They discussed joint work in transport and logistics, including leveraging the Caspian Sea’s transit potential and developing the International North-South Transport Corridor. Click here to read...
After Israeli strikes, Iran unites and refuses to be broken
The most immediate and visible consequence of the airstrikes has been the destruction of civilian life and property. But what has followed in their wake is equally striking: a wave of public mourning, widespread anger toward Israel, and an unmistakable surge of grassroots unity and defiance that has swept across Iran. Rather than spread fear or chaos, the attacks appear to have hardened national resolve and created a rare moment of cohesion. Public anger over the killing of civilians, nuclear scientists, and military officials has united a broad spectrum of Iranians—across political and generational lines—in condemnation of foreign aggression. On Saturday, thousands poured into the streets in cities large and small during nationwide rallies for Eid al-Ghadir. What is traditionally a religious celebration marking the Prophet Muhammad’s designation of Imam Ali as his successor quickly transformed into an occasion of collective resistance. Banners expressing grief for the victims were held alongside religious symbols, and chants against foreign intervention echoed through urban centers. Click here to read...
Azerbaijani naval ships leave for Kazakhstan for joint tactical exercise
In accordance with the joint action plan signed between the defense ministries of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan for 2025, ships and personnel of the Azerbaijan Naval Forces departed from Baku to take part in the "Khazri-2025" joint tactical exercise. It should be noted that the joint tactical exercise will take place in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea, News.Az reports, citing the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan. The objective of the exercise is to enhance the professionalism of Azerbaijani and Kazakh naval personnel and to exchange experience. Click here to read...
Armenian Foreign Minister holds phone call with Iranian counterpart
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan spoke by phone with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi amid the ongoing Israeli-Iranian escalation.“In a phone conversation with my Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, I discussed the recent developments & exchanged views on the current situation. In line with the position expressed by Armenia, emphasized the importance of managing the risks & avoiding escalation in the region. We remain in close contact, including related to International Atomic Energy Agency discussions,” FM Mirzoyan said in a post on X. Click here to read...
