Astana Is Looking for a Balance: Kazakhstan Steps Up Military Cooperation with the West

Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom have signed a two-year military cooperation plan that includes Kazakhstan’s officers’ training at British academies, joint peacekeeping programs, exchange of experience in defense reform, and language training. The document consolidates the strategic partnership launched in 2024, when London allocated £50 million to support the development of Central Asian countries.

The deepening of cooperation with the West coincided with the resignation of Minister of Defence Ruslan Jaqsylyqov, as criticism of the Minister grew in Kazakhstan over arms procurement scandals and President Tokayev’s public remarks about the  unsatisfactory ideological work in the Army.

Jaqsylyqov was also accused of pro-russian rhetoric: in April, he called the military of russia and Kazakhstan “brothers in arms”.  His successor, Dauren Kosanov – a graduate of russian military academies – has been tasked with strengthening special forces and infrastructure.

The combination of foreign policy steps and internal changes in the security, defence and law enforcement agencies indicates Astana’s new line – a gradual balancing between CSTO commitments and building partnerships with NATO.