On September 16, 2024, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Kazakhstan, marking his first official tour of Central Asia. The visit highlighted Germany's efforts to diversify its energy and mineral sources in the wake of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
During the meeting in Astana, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Chancellor Scholz expressed differing views on the approach to the Ukraine conflict. Tokayev urged Scholz to abandon the notion that Russia could be defeated militarily and suggested supporting China's peace plan for Ukraine.
"It is a fact that Russia cannot be defeated in the military sense. A further escalation of war will lead to irreparable consequences for the whole of humanity and above all for the countries involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict."
Scholz diplomatically disagreed, reaffirming Germany's support for Ukraine's right to defend its integrity and sovereignty. He emphasized the need for peaceful development while acknowledging the ongoing aggression by Russia.
The discussion highlighted the complex geopolitical landscape in Central Asia. Kazakhstan, the world's largest landlocked country, shares a 7,500 km border with Russia and remains a close ally of its former Soviet overlord. However, the Astana government has maintained a neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict.
Germany, as the world's fourth-largest economy and a leading member of the European Union and NATO, has been actively seeking to diversify its energy sources since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This visit to Kazakhstan, with its significant oil reserves, underscores this strategic shift.
The leaders also discussed the importance of peace conferences. Scholz emphasized the need for follow-up meetings to the Western-backed conference in Switzerland, potentially including Russia. He stressed that ending the conflict requires Russia to cease its aggression against Ukraine.
This high-level meeting in Astana, renamed from Nur-Sultan in 2022, showcases the increasing importance of Central Asia in global geopolitics. As the region gains prominence due to its strategic location and natural resources, such diplomatic engagements are likely to become more frequent.
The differing perspectives presented by Tokayev and Scholz reflect the complex nature of international relations surrounding the Ukraine conflict. While Kazakhstan, a member of the Eurasian Economic Union along with Russia, advocates for a diplomatic approach, Germany remains committed to supporting Ukraine's defense efforts.
As one of the largest providers of financial and military aid to Ukraine since 2022, Germany's stance aligns with its Western allies. However, the dialogue with Kazakhstan demonstrates the ongoing efforts to explore various avenues for peace while navigating the intricate web of global alliances and interests.