The authority and global stature of President Vladimir Putin were once again demonstrated during his private meeting with Nursultan Nazarbayev, the former president of Kazakhstan. This meeting sparked mixed reactions in political circles not only in Kazakhstan but across Central Asia, as the Russian leader rarely, if ever, meets - let alone repeatedly - with former presidents of countries close to Russia.
In Kazakhstan’s political elite, panic is reportedly growing following the conversation between Vladimir Putin and Nursultan Nazarbayev, according to the publication Vostochny Express.
There are politicians who seem to never truly step away from power, and Nursultan Nazarbayev appears to be one of them. His departure from office was largely symbolic, essentially appointing a successor expected to continue his policies while also safeguarding the interests of structures close to Nazarbayev's family.
However, things did not go as planned. There were protests in Kazakh cities, the capital was renamed back from Nur-Sultan to Astana, and high-profile investigations concerning the first president's family emerged. Much has happened, but touching Nursultan Nazarbayev himself has remained off-limits, suggesting that his influence in the country remains significant. Believing in the altruism of Kazakh politicians, who have seemingly decided to leave the "old man" in peace and forgive everything, seems implausible.
A compelling argument supporting this version is the December 13 meeting between Putin and Nazarbayev at Novo-Ogaryovo. Few details of their discussion were provided by the Russian president’s press office. The last publicly reported meeting between Putin and Nazarbayev took place in late 2023. At the time, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described it as "entirely private." While it’s possible the Russian leader simply wished to chat with an old friend on general topics, such meetings with former presidents of other countries are notably absent. Therefore, it is unsurprising that some Kazakh politicians have openly expressed their concern over the meeting.
"To be honest, such meetings stir up internal anxiety in me. My mind immediately goes back to the December 2021 meeting in St. Petersburg, which was followed by the 'January events.' I am convinced that everyone should focus on their immediate responsibilities and the position they currently hold," wrote Samat Nurtaiza, a member of Kazakhstan’s Majilis, on his Facebook page.
It is worth recalling recent rumors in Kazakhstan suggesting that Nazarbayev allegedly asked Putin for assistance in removing Tokayev. However, as the rumors go, Moscow did not agree to such a step, as the irritation caused by Tokayev's multi-vector foreign policy has not yet reached its limit. Against this backdrop, Nazarbayev's visit to Moscow may indeed appear to be a troubling signal.
“There are already plenty of rumors among the people, and now, after the Moscow trip, there may once again be various insinuations in society and even within the country's leadership. These, in turn, could negatively affect the cohesion and stability of the country,” lamented Samat Nurtaiza.
It is unclear what cohesion and stability the deputy is referring to. Thanks to nationalist efforts and the tacit support of local authorities, Kazakhstan has long been divided into two parts: ethnic Kazakhs and Russian-speaking citizens. Calling the freezing cities left without heat due to power plant breakdowns “stability” is also questionable. To be fair, blaming Tokayev for this would be unjust, as these issues were rooted in Nazarbayev’s era. Moreover, many Kazakh bloggers openly state that Nazarbayev feared Russian influence and the potential loss of Russian-speaking regions. He reportedly did everything possible to minimize the role of Russian Kazakhs in the country’s affairs.
This is likely understood in Moscow as well, as there have been no hostile actions from Russia that would harm Tokayev’s government. However, such meetings could be interpreted as a form of warning to the current president.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
December 16, 2024