Kazakhstan is observing the BRICS summit with interest but has not decided on joining. Meanwhile, Russia restricts agricultural imports from Kazakhstan, citing safety concerns.
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On the eve of the BRICS summit, Kazakhstan said that it was still "watching the evolution" of the bloc with interest.
Despite Moscow's approaches to President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev, the question of joining the association is not yet on the table, as Tokayev said that in the current circumstances, there was no alternative to the UN.
Immediately afterwards, it became known that Russia was restricting the importing of agricultural products from Kazakhstan, including fresh flowers, due to an alleged invasion of pest insects.
"Kazakhstan re-exports most flowers from the Netherlands, Poland and Belgium. However, the competent agencies of these countries do not provide the appropriate level of control over the safety of products," Russian phytosanitary agency Rosselkhoznadzor said in a statement.
"The decision was taken in order to preserve the phytosanitary well-being of Russia and the volume of exported goods, as well as in view of the numerous cases (43) of detection in 2023 and 2024 in flower products (of) western flower thrips."
"Potential economic damage from the penetration and spread of western flower thrips is more than 11.5 billion rubles (€110bn)," the agency added.
Growing pressure on Kazakhstan
"Restrictions and bans on imports of crop products and wheat between Kazakhstan and Russia undoubtedly reflect growing pressure on Kazakhstan, although it is not the first time they have occurred," Kuat Dombai, director of the C+5 Centre for Central Asian Studies, told Euronews.
"Previously, Russia repeatedly banned the transit of Kazakh oil through the Novorossiysk seaport under various pretexts of technical failures at the terminal, which coincided with some pressing issues in bilateral relations. More than 80% of Kazakh oil is exported to Europe through it."
What guides Astana's position on possible BRICS membership?
"Kazakhstan has repeatedly stated that it does not intend to violate or to some extent bypass the sanctions measures imposed against Russia in connection with the war in Ukraine, which is in practical terms a very difficult task, given that the country is sharing the world's largest land border of 7,500 kilometres and is in a single customs space with Russia within the EAEU," explained Dombai.
The BRICS meeting is taking place in Kazan while Russian troops are destroying Ukrainian towns and villages. How does Russian military aggression affect relations between Russia and Kazakhstan?
"Kazakhstan has undoubtedly found itself in a very difficult economic situation, falling under the threat of secondary sanctions, traditional logistical chains have been destroyed, and Kazakh society is logically and soberingly aware of the threat of possible territorial claims around the corner."
"Given that after the collapse of the USSR, it was two countries — Kazakhstan and Ukraine — that were signatories of the Budapest Memorandum with guarantees from the West in exchange for giving up nuclear weapons," Dombai said.
Kremlin: BRICS 'is not an alliance against anyone'
Many analysts believe that amid international sanctions and the ongoing war against Ukraine, Moscow is trying to show that plans to isolate Vladimir Putin have failed.
The Kremlin says more than 30 countries have applied to join BRICS, but the exact list has not been disclosed.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told domestic media that "BRICS does not force anyone to sacrifice anything." According to Lavrov, "this association is not against anyone."
The head of Russian diplomacy also stated that Kazakhstan should really see no obstacles in joining the bloc.
"It seems to me that in the long run, our southern neighbours, our allies in the CSTO and the EAEU, first of all, will see the direct benefits of rapprochement with the BRICS," Lavrov said.
"It is not necessary to join, but to co-operate in implementing specific projects — there is no doubt. This is in the interest of all of us."