First broken in an article from the Astana Times, Azerbaijani and Kazakh leaders gathered in the formers country for high-level talks on June 22, 2023. These talks were aimed at boosting the overall value of trade between the two countries to a targeted goal of $1 billion annually.

Its hardly a surprise then that these nations are working on developing closer ties. Both Azeris and Kazakhs speak similar Turkic languages, share Turkic ethnic roots, and are members of many common regional groupings like the Organization of Turkic States. Both economies are heavily dependent on hydrocarbon reserves. Politically, both have long sought to chart an independent course from the powers that surround them, predominantly Russia, despite frequently having a pro-Moscow streak in the recent past. Finally, both countries were part of the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991.

Kazakhstan has been the most economically successful of the two. The UNs Development Program classifies Kazakhstan as a very highly developed country with a nominal income per capita of about $11,000 annually. More of its economy is devoted to the service sector than Azerbaijan. And according to the Fund for Peaces Fragile States index, Kazakhstan fares significantly better. Its significantly larger population and economy than Azerbaijan also makes it more influential in this regard.

Shifting geopolitical realities have accelerated cooperation between the two countries. According to the Astana Times article, bilateral trade between the two increased by about 40%, up to $460 million USD, in 2022. Following the imposition of Western sanctions and pariah status on a significantly less reliable partner in Russia, Kazakhstan was caught in a difficult situation. Physically sandwiched between Russia, China, and the less affluent states to its south, the country still nevertheless has been courting Western capital and political goodwill with the goal of balancing out the major regional players around it.

Azerbaijan is Kazakhstans next best geographic choice for accessing lucrative markets in the EU. Although Azerbaijan benefited from Russias refusal to help Armenia in its most recent offensive, the West considered it to...

The Press United June 25, 2023

Aleksandar Vucic thinks that PM Wagner insurrection was stopped thanks to a strong reaction from President Vladimir Putin

Foreign intelligence services likely played a role in the failed Wagner PMC coup attempt on Saturday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has claimed. In his address to the nation, Russian President Vladimir Putin described the mutineers as traitors whose actions could play into the hands of Moscows adversaries.

In an interview with Serbias Pink TV channel on Sunday, Vucic stressed that Belgrade does not support coups in other countries as a matter of principle.

We didnt support it in Turkey or Russia, we wouldnt support it in America, either, the official explained, adding that governments should only be changed in elections by the will of the citizens.

The Serbian head of state went on to say: I dont want to say who was involved from the outside, but have no doubts.

Vucic cited foreign services, without, however, going into further detail or providing any proof.

He said the masterminds behind the failed coup attempt had devised a sly tactic which included attacking the Russian president without saying directly that the effort was actually directed at him.

The official also claimed that some of the grievances voiced by the mutineers, especially those involving allegations of corruption, were legitimate. However, whatever these may be, they are still not a reason to stab your country in the back, he emphasized.

The Serbian president added that some forces, which he stopped short of specifying, had had high expectations of the Wagner PMC insurrection.

Vucic praised Putins handling of the crisis, saying that it was ended thanks to his sharp and strong reaction.

Addressing the nation on Saturday, Putin characterized the armed mutiny as a betrayal and a knife in the back of Russia and its people. At a time when the country is waging a tough struggle for its future, he said, any strife might be used by enemies to subvert us from within.

Meanwhile, Politico reported on Saturday that American officials viewed the events in Russia as opening a window of opportunity for the Ukrainian counteroffensive.

The New York Times reported that same day, citing anonymous sources, that US intelligence agencies strongly suspected that Evgeny Prigozhin was planning a major move against the Russian government.

US President Joe Biden and his administration were allegedly briefed on this as early as Wednesday.

June 25, 2023 at 08:40PM
RT

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