Strength in calm: what stayed behind the scenes of Tokayev’s visit to Moscow
Tengrinews.kz – The second day of the state visit of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Moscow has come to an end. A Tengrinews.kz correspondent continues watching the details and reporting on what remains behind the scenes.
We described how the first day of the trip to Russia went here. And on November 12, the official part of the negotiations took place — important strategic and partnership documents were signed.
Moscow greets the new day with its familiar November grayness and light rain. An honor guard is already lined up near the Kremlin — an important guest will arrive soon.
After informal conversations and evening tea with Vladimir Putin, Tokayev’s schedule includes laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This gesture of remembrance traditionally opens the day of official events.
In Alexander Garden, everything is timed to the second. The ceremonial part is accompanied by the same honor guard company as the day before — the inscription on their drum indicates they are exemplary.
The stern captain from yesterday is not as strict today — he adjusts the soldiers’ headgear almost father-like.
He makes sure their hats sit perfectly — the line just above the eyebrows. A small detail, but events at the highest level are made up of such details.
Camera operators and photographers line up in a row. While we are waiting, the changing of the guard takes place — beautiful, strict, almost choreography.
“We’re lucky,” a local cameraman whispers. You don’t often get to see this.
And then a car bearing a sky-blue flag appears on the square.
The President steps out of the car. Everything around falls silent — a step, a pause, music. The wreath-laying ceremony begins.
After a minute of silence, the orchestra plays the first notes of Kazakhstan’s national anthem — and a familiar melody rings clearly and solemnly over Alexander Garden.
The honor guard marches past the Kazakh delegation — their steps echo loudly across the square.
The ceremony ends. The President’s motorcade pulls away — ahead is a meeting with Federation Council Chairwoman Valentina Matvienko.
The President of Kazakhstan calls this visit special — one after which relations between the two countries will rise to a new level. Speaking with Valentina Matvienko, he recalls yesterday’s private conversation with Vladimir Putin, saying that in two hours they managed to discuss many topics.
Meanwhile, journalists hurry to the Kremlin.
They rush to the Grand Kremlin Palace. Nearby, on the Kremlin cobblestones, guards march in precise, rhythmic formation.
After long checks and inspections, we finally enter the St George's Hall — through the huge golden gates shining under the chandeliers.
The first impression is the scale. The space itself seems to command silence.
White walls, reliefs, gold — together it feels overwhelming, yet harmonious in its own way.
Delegations gradually begin to arrive. One of the first to appear in the hall is Igor Sechin, head of Rosneft.
The Kazakh delegation carefully examines the hall. The head of the National Bank, Timur Suleimenov, takes out a phone that seems to have five cameras and photographs the gilded details. In his case, the expression “knows the value of gold” sounds quite literal.
And here are his colleagues — Elvira Nabiullina, head of the Russian Central Bank, and Russia’s Finance Minister Anton Siluanov. Their faces are serious — most likely thinking about the same things: budgets, rates, percentages.
Which can’t be said about some of their other colleagues.
Kazakhstan’s Minister of Energy, Erlan Akkenzhenov, also doesn’t hide his interest — he raises his phone and takes a picture. Judging by his expression, the interior really made an impression.
And now Akkenzhenov asks Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Russia, Dauren Abayev, to take a photo of him.
A line even forms to ask the ambassador for help.
During the break, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin was in high demand. He answered journalists, as he likes to say himself, “from A to Z”.
Then the Kazakh delegation suddenly seems to stand at attention.
This could mean only one thing — the President would arrive any minute.
While there are still a few minutes left, the Minister of Artificial Intelligence — and recently also Deputy Prime Minister — Zhaslan Madiyev decides to watch some kind of video.
The smartphone is quickly tucked into his pocket. The heads of state have entered the hall.
As yesterday, the meeting between Tokayev and Putin begins with warm smiles and a firm handshake.
The national anthems of both countries are played.
After that, the leaders introduce the members of their delegations to each other.
The presidents walk into the next hall, where folders with documents are already waiting.
The negotiations take place in an atmosphere that can be described as both strict and majestic. The hall is decorated with green wallpaper with gold ornaments, heavy curtains, and bronze clocks between the flags of the two countries — as if the space itself emphasizes the importance of the moment.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev opens the meeting — he thanks the Russian side for the reception and notes that the visit “was planned down to the smallest details.” He speaks calmly but confidently, emphasizing the strategic nature of the partnership and the fact that “there is not a single sphere in which Kazakhstan and Russia do not work together.”
The President touches separately on issues of nuclear energy, education, and youth exchanges.
“Our task is to pass on this relay of knowledge about each other and the understanding of the crucial importance of developing cooperation on all fronts between Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation in a new historical and geopolitical reality. Our youth must understand that without this, further existence in this turbulent world is no longer possible,” he says.
In addition, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev invites his colleague to visit Kazakhstan in 2026 — also on a state visit.
Vladimir Putin takes the floor. The President of Russia notes the growth in trade turnover — almost 27 billion dollars last year and 20 billion in the first nine months of the current year. He emphasizes that Kazakh companies actively work in Russia, and Russian companies — in Kazakhstan.
He also lists the upcoming meetings — in Bishkek and St. Petersburg, where the leaders will once again discuss the regional agenda.
“A memorandum has been prepared following your visit today, which states that we are elevating our relations to an even higher interstate level.
We can only welcome this. We are doing everything we can to further develop relations with Kazakhstan,” Putin adds, calling Tokayev’s visit an event that strengthens the alliance.
After long negotiations and participation in the Interregional Cooperation Forum, the presidents proceed to sign documents. On the table before them lie neatly arranged folders with the coats of arms of the two countries.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Vladimir Putin put their signatures on a document that elevates relations between Kazakhstan and Russia to a new level — a level of comprehensive strategic partnership and allied cooperation.
The ink has barely dried when ministers and heads of agencies begin exchanging folders. Each of these documents outlines concrete steps: in the economy, transport, education, energy. Everything that transforms words about partnership into real connections.
In his speech, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that the shared history of Kazakhstan and Russia proves the strength of unity better than any words.
“In difficult years we stood side by side, supporting one another. Together we endured hardships, together we achieved the Great Victory — the one we still hold carefully and sacredly in our hearts.
The wisdom of many centuries preserves the Kazakh saying ‘Kudai koskan korshi’, which translates as ‘a neighbor given by God’, and this is what Russia is for Kazakhstan,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
The President of Kazakhstan once again underlined that there are no unsolvable issues between the two neighbors.
And Putin highlighted the equality of relations between Kazakhstan and Russia.
“For Russia, Kazakhstan is an ally, a strategic partner, and a good neighbor with whom we build multifaceted and equal relations based on friendship, mutual trust, and respect.”
The official part is over. This visit will serve as a reminder that in a world where loud statements are heard all too often, strength sometimes lies in calm.
Text: Aisultan Kulshmanov.Photos: Tengrinews.kz, the press service of Akorda.
We described how the first day of the trip to Russia went here. And on November 12, the official part of the negotiations took place — important strategic and partnership documents were signed.
Moscow greets the new day with its familiar November grayness and light rain. An honor guard is already lined up near the Kremlin — an important guest will arrive soon.
After informal conversations and evening tea with Vladimir Putin, Tokayev’s schedule includes laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This gesture of remembrance traditionally opens the day of official events.
In Alexander Garden, everything is timed to the second. The ceremonial part is accompanied by the same honor guard company as the day before — the inscription on their drum indicates they are exemplary.
The stern captain from yesterday is not as strict today — he adjusts the soldiers’ headgear almost father-like.
He makes sure their hats sit perfectly — the line just above the eyebrows. A small detail, but events at the highest level are made up of such details.
Camera operators and photographers line up in a row. While we are waiting, the changing of the guard takes place — beautiful, strict, almost choreography.
“We’re lucky,” a local cameraman whispers. You don’t often get to see this.
And then a car bearing a sky-blue flag appears on the square.
The President steps out of the car. Everything around falls silent — a step, a pause, music. The wreath-laying ceremony begins.
After a minute of silence, the orchestra plays the first notes of Kazakhstan’s national anthem — and a familiar melody rings clearly and solemnly over Alexander Garden.
The honor guard marches past the Kazakh delegation — their steps echo loudly across the square.
The ceremony ends. The President’s motorcade pulls away — ahead is a meeting with Federation Council Chairwoman Valentina Matvienko.
The President of Kazakhstan calls this visit special — one after which relations between the two countries will rise to a new level. Speaking with Valentina Matvienko, he recalls yesterday’s private conversation with Vladimir Putin, saying that in two hours they managed to discuss many topics.
Meanwhile, journalists hurry to the Kremlin.
They rush to the Grand Kremlin Palace. Nearby, on the Kremlin cobblestones, guards march in precise, rhythmic formation.
After long checks and inspections, we finally enter the St George's Hall — through the huge golden gates shining under the chandeliers.
The first impression is the scale. The space itself seems to command silence.
White walls, reliefs, gold — together it feels overwhelming, yet harmonious in its own way.
Delegations gradually begin to arrive. One of the first to appear in the hall is Igor Sechin, head of Rosneft.
The Kazakh delegation carefully examines the hall. The head of the National Bank, Timur Suleimenov, takes out a phone that seems to have five cameras and photographs the gilded details. In his case, the expression “knows the value of gold” sounds quite literal.
And here are his colleagues — Elvira Nabiullina, head of the Russian Central Bank, and Russia’s Finance Minister Anton Siluanov. Their faces are serious — most likely thinking about the same things: budgets, rates, percentages.
Which can’t be said about some of their other colleagues.
Kazakhstan’s Minister of Energy, Erlan Akkenzhenov, also doesn’t hide his interest — he raises his phone and takes a picture. Judging by his expression, the interior really made an impression.
And now Akkenzhenov asks Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Russia, Dauren Abayev, to take a photo of him.
A line even forms to ask the ambassador for help.
During the break, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin was in high demand. He answered journalists, as he likes to say himself, “from A to Z”.
Then the Kazakh delegation suddenly seems to stand at attention.
This could mean only one thing — the President would arrive any minute.
While there are still a few minutes left, the Minister of Artificial Intelligence — and recently also Deputy Prime Minister — Zhaslan Madiyev decides to watch some kind of video.
The smartphone is quickly tucked into his pocket. The heads of state have entered the hall.
As yesterday, the meeting between Tokayev and Putin begins with warm smiles and a firm handshake.
The national anthems of both countries are played.
After that, the leaders introduce the members of their delegations to each other.
The presidents walk into the next hall, where folders with documents are already waiting.
The negotiations take place in an atmosphere that can be described as both strict and majestic. The hall is decorated with green wallpaper with gold ornaments, heavy curtains, and bronze clocks between the flags of the two countries — as if the space itself emphasizes the importance of the moment.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev opens the meeting — he thanks the Russian side for the reception and notes that the visit “was planned down to the smallest details.” He speaks calmly but confidently, emphasizing the strategic nature of the partnership and the fact that “there is not a single sphere in which Kazakhstan and Russia do not work together.”
The President touches separately on issues of nuclear energy, education, and youth exchanges.
“Our task is to pass on this relay of knowledge about each other and the understanding of the crucial importance of developing cooperation on all fronts between Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation in a new historical and geopolitical reality. Our youth must understand that without this, further existence in this turbulent world is no longer possible,” he says.
In addition, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev invites his colleague to visit Kazakhstan in 2026 — also on a state visit.
Vladimir Putin takes the floor. The President of Russia notes the growth in trade turnover — almost 27 billion dollars last year and 20 billion in the first nine months of the current year. He emphasizes that Kazakh companies actively work in Russia, and Russian companies — in Kazakhstan.
He also lists the upcoming meetings — in Bishkek and St. Petersburg, where the leaders will once again discuss the regional agenda.
“A memorandum has been prepared following your visit today, which states that we are elevating our relations to an even higher interstate level.
We can only welcome this. We are doing everything we can to further develop relations with Kazakhstan,” Putin adds, calling Tokayev’s visit an event that strengthens the alliance.
After long negotiations and participation in the Interregional Cooperation Forum, the presidents proceed to sign documents. On the table before them lie neatly arranged folders with the coats of arms of the two countries.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Vladimir Putin put their signatures on a document that elevates relations between Kazakhstan and Russia to a new level — a level of comprehensive strategic partnership and allied cooperation.
The ink has barely dried when ministers and heads of agencies begin exchanging folders. Each of these documents outlines concrete steps: in the economy, transport, education, energy. Everything that transforms words about partnership into real connections.
In his speech, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that the shared history of Kazakhstan and Russia proves the strength of unity better than any words.
“In difficult years we stood side by side, supporting one another. Together we endured hardships, together we achieved the Great Victory — the one we still hold carefully and sacredly in our hearts.
The wisdom of many centuries preserves the Kazakh saying ‘Kudai koskan korshi’, which translates as ‘a neighbor given by God’, and this is what Russia is for Kazakhstan,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
The President of Kazakhstan once again underlined that there are no unsolvable issues between the two neighbors.
And Putin highlighted the equality of relations between Kazakhstan and Russia.
“For Russia, Kazakhstan is an ally, a strategic partner, and a good neighbor with whom we build multifaceted and equal relations based on friendship, mutual trust, and respect.”
The official part is over. This visit will serve as a reminder that in a world where loud statements are heard all too often, strength sometimes lies in calm.
Text: Aisultan Kulshmanov.Photos: Tengrinews.kz, the press service of Akorda.