In Astana, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks at the Palace of Independence, including restricted and expanded formats, following an official welcoming ceremony with national anthems.
The leaders reviewed joint Russia–Kazakhstan projects including industrial cooperation, autonomous freight trucks between Moscow and Astana, Amur tiger reintroduction, and the planned Sirius Centre for gifted children in Astana.
They signed an agreement for the construction of the Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), valued at around $16.5 billion, with Russia’s Rosatom designated as lead builder.
The project includes a Russian export credit facility and VVER-1200 III+ reactor technology. The site is planned for Ulken, near Lake Balkhash, with construction expected from 2027 and commissioning targeted for 2034.
Kazakhstan, a major uranium producer still reliant on coal and electricity imports, approved nuclear development following a 2024 referendum and has also designated China’s CNNC for a second planned plant.
Both sides also signed agreements covering oil sector cooperation, financial crime countermeasures, transport digitalisation, nuclear safety (2026–2030), rail innovation, and broader strategic partnership initiatives. A symbolic tree was also planted in Astana.
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