In the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, there are more and more people who want to "pick up the slack". Recently, Kazakhstan President Tokayev gave an "interesting" instruction to the government cabinet.
At an enlarged government meeting, Tokayev said, “Half of the more than 1,400 large foreign companies have suspended their activities or completely left the Russian market,” and then went on to say, “We should provide settlements for foreign companies that have left Russia. Kazakhstan creates favorable conditions.”
In fact, if these foreign companies can be attracted to settle here, it will undoubtedly be a good opportunity for Kazakhstan to expand the production of mid-to-high-end processed goods.
Kazakhstan President Tokayev Source: Information Bureau of the Presidential Palace of Kazakhstan
Tokayev is not just talking. He said that he has already instructed the government to prepare a series of manufacturing investment projects and formulate corresponding plans with potential investors. plan.
Although related work is still limited to the conference discussion level, this also reveals Tokayev’s ambitions.
Research shows that since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, some foreign companies such as British Petroleum , McDonald's , Starbucks , etc. have withdrawn from Russia. A total of hundreds of foreign companies have stated that they will withdraw from the Russian market, including IT, retail , catering, finance, film distribution and other fields.
Although Putin has expressed optimism about this and declared that in the West, "Moscow will definitely find ways to obtain advanced technology and luxury goods," judging from the objective facts, the withdrawal of foreign companies from Russia will affect the Russian people to some extent. Life.
In this context, once the conditions are ripe, Tokayev's "wishes" may not be realized at the moment.
Many people said that Kazakhstan’s move was an attempt to poach Russia and would definitely cause Russia’s displeasure. Indeed, the relationship between Russia and Kazakhstan has long undergone subtle changes.
Although Kazakhstan, a large Central Asian country regarded by the outside world as Russia's traditional ally, has experienced increased friction with Russia since the outbreak of the Ukraine war, and has increasingly shown a tendency to get rid of Russia.
There are three most obvious signals:
First, Tokayev clearly stated to Putin that Kazakhstan does not recognize that Udon Lugansk and Donetsk are two "independent republics". This is simply to Fighting Nation received a "loud slap". Then, Kazakhstan received a warning that once Russia-Kazakhstan relations break down, anything that happens in Kazakhstan is "possible," "just like Ukraine ."
After this incident, Russia also took action and ordered to "suspend" the Caspian Sea oil pipeline for 30 days. The "lifeline" of Kazakhstan's oil exports was abruptly cut off by Putin.
Secondly, in the context of the "lifeline" connecting Kazakhstan's oil exports being cut off by Russia, Kazakh President Tokayev ordered to find new export oil pipelines, "prioritize the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor" and "let the country's oil Export diversification”.
In fact, the so-called "Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor" starts from China in the east, crosses the Caspian Sea countries, and is connected to Europe. It is an international logistics channel that bypasses Russia.
Having said this, I have to mention China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative. There are two routes in the land part. One is through Kazakhstan, Russia, and then to Europe; the other is through Afghanistan , Iran , Middle East. and then to Europe.
The CPC pipeline marked with a black line is Kazakhstan's main oil export route.
There is no doubt that the "Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor" mentioned by Tokayev is obviously "going to Russia".
Third, Kazakhstan hopes to strengthen cooperation with the EU in the energy field, and has ordered a ban on materials sanctioned by the West from transiting Kazakhstan. It is not only Russia that is affected, but also Belarus goods. Such a move is equivalent to a disguised move. By joining the sanctions against Russia, it is almost a sign of siding with the West.
When Russia and Kazakhstan are in trouble like this, there must not be much friendship left from the past.
In fact, although Kazakhstan had maintained friendly relations with Russia before, it had to maintain a certain distance from Russia due to its own development needs.
Especially after entering the 21st century, Russia's economic development has also encountered difficulties. Kazakhstan cannot always rely on Russia. Then Kazakhstan is looking for cooperation everywhere. This trend is bound to make the relationship between Russia and Kazakhstan become less so. close.
Unfortunately, Kazakhstan’s internal geological structure is already fragmented, which makes it impossible for its various sectors to benefit from the results of this development to other parts of the country when they communicate and cooperate with the outside world.
In fact, Nazarbayev is also very aware of this. Kazakhstan will naturally take action, but it is quite difficult for Kazakhstan to get rid of Russia's influence.
For China, Kazakhstan is also an important land route for China to the West. As a relatively central region on the Eurasian continent, Kazakhstan is bound to be the key to China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative.
In addition, what we have to pay attention to is the United States. Once Kazakhstan embarks on the path of "de-Russification", it will inevitably have to deal with Western countries such as the United States. This is definitely not good news for China.
