Kazakhstan ready to emerge from Russian influence: ‘Freedom is the most precious thing’

Kazakhstan ready to emerge from Russian influence: ‘Freedom is the most precious thing’
An article by Kazakh President Qasim Jomart Tokayev was published on January 5, prompting a widespread reaction in the country to claims by Russian politicians that parts of the Kazakh region belonged to Russia. There are gifts that must be returned.

Tokayev’s article came just days before the January 10 parliamentary elections. Tightly-controlled elections also ensured the dominance of Nursultan Nazarbayev’s party in parliament, thus completing the transfer of power from the veteran leader Nursultan Nazarbayev. He left power in March 2019.

Now that Tokayev’s presidency has been consolidated, his article can be seen as a key policy statement that reflects Kazakhstan’s concern over the growing aggression in Russia’s foreign policy. It also reflects a shift in public sentiment towards nationalism and a major ideological and cultural separation from the Soviet past and Russia.