The European Union and ex-Soviet states of Central Asia have strengthened ties in response to Moscow’s war on Ukraine. The EU aims to diversify supplies of critical materials by strengthening relations with mineral-rich countries like Kazakhstan. Additionally, Brussels is working to broaden global trading relations in response to US President Donald Trump’s protectionist policies

Costa confirmed the meeting in Samarkand in April over the phone with Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Costa will be accompanied by the European Commission’s President, Ursula von der Leyen. Kazakhstan, according to Costa, “is an important partner of the EU, and we will continue to strengthen trade and connectivity links.” He also praised Astana’s “principled stance in supporting a rules-based international order.”

Kazakhstan is a member of the Moscow-led CSTO security bloc, but it has expressed alarm over Russia’s nearly three-year conflict in Ukraine, which Tokayev has refused to support. Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a visit to Kazakhstan in November in an effort to strengthen ties. The EU has also urged Central Asian countries to restrict the flow of sanctioned items to Russia, which may be used to aid Moscow’s war effort.