Kazakhstan Declines BRICS Membership, Russia Imposes Import Ban
Russia has imposed a temporary ban on several agricultural imports from Kazakhstan, following the country’s decision not to join the BRICS bloc.
The Russian agriculture watchdog, Rosselkhoznadzor, announced the ban this week, citing Kazakhstan’s failure to ensure the phytosanitary safety of products like tomatoes, peppers, melons, wheat, flax seeds, and lentils. The restriction aims to protect Russia’s plant health standards by preventing the spread of pests and diseases.
Kazakhstan’s Decision to Stay Out of BRICS
Kazakhstan, the largest economy in Central Asia, recently opted not to submit an application to join BRICS, the bloc of emerging economies currently presided over by Russia. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s spokesperson, Berik Uali, confirmed the decision, stating that Kazakhstan prefers to support the United Nations as a universal international organization and advocates for reforms to the UN Security Council (UNSC).
This decision comes as a setback for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has promoted BRICS as a counterbalance to Western influence, especially in light of the sanctions Russia faces due to its ongoing war in Ukraine.
Diplomatic Strain Amid BRICS Summit
In response to Kazakhstan’s decision, Russia’s ban on agricultural imports raises concerns about the state of relations between the two nations. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, however, downplayed the issue, reaffirming that Kazakhstan remains a “strategic partner” and valued ally of Russia. He emphasized that Kazakhstan’s decisions regarding international alliances, such as BRICS, are its own to make.
This diplomatic strain comes ahead of the upcoming BRICS summit, scheduled for October 22-24 in Kazan, Russia, where President Tokayev is expected to attend as a guest in an extended meeting. Despite the current tensions, both nations continue to maintain significant bilateral relations.
