BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 19. Kazakhstan is
ready to expand mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia's
Leningrad Region, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said
during a meeting with the region's governor, Alexander Drozdenko,
according to the presidential press service.
The sides highlighted the importance of interregional ties in
strengthening the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and
Russia.
Tokayev noted the Leningrad Region's industrial, transport, and
logistics potential. He also said that trade and economic ties
between Kazakhstan and the region were showing positive momentum,
with bilateral trade turnover exceeding $400 million in 2025.
Drozdenko thanked Tokayev for the warm welcome and conveyed
greetings from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The governor also highlighted the courage of Kazakhstanis who
took part in the defense of Leningrad during World War II, noting
that their contribution is commemorated in the region.
The sides discussed prospects for joint projects in industry,
nuclear energy, transport and agriculture, as well as opportunities
to expand cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
According to the Bureau of National Statistics of Kazakhstan,
Kazakhstan’s trade turnover with Russia reached $15.87 billion in
January-July 2026, up 6.5% compared with $14.90 billion in the same
period of 2025. Russia’s share in Kazakhstan’s total foreign trade
turnover declined to 18.1% in January-July 2026 from about 18.8% a
year earlier.
