Kazakhstan resists joining BRICS, Russia strikes back with trade restrictions on fruits, veggies

Russia’s agricultural watchdog has temporarily banned the import of several agricultural products from Kazakhstan, including tomatoes, peppers, fresh melons, wheat, flax seeds, and lentils, ostensibly due to concerns over plant health safety.

The Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, known as Rosselkhoznadzor, said the decision was made due to the failure of Kazakhstan’s authorities to take adequate measures to ensure the phytosanitary safety of products entering Russia.

“The decision was made due to the failure of competent authorities in Kazakhstan to take action and in order to ensure the phytosanitary safety of the territory of Russia,” Rosselkhoznadzor stated on its website, according to Politico.

But the timing of the move suggests the reason could be bigger than sanitation concerns.

The move came shortly after Kazakhstan, Central Asia’s largest economy, decided not to apply for membership in BRICS, a bloc of emerging economies led by Russia, China, and India.

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“At present and most likely in the foreseeable future, Kazakhstan will refrain from submitting an application to BRICS,” Berik Uali, a spokesperson for Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, said in a statement on Wednesday.

Uali added that Tokayev supports the United Nations as a “universal and irreplaceable international organisation” and advocates for reform of the UN Security Council to better represent regional powers, Politico reported.

Kazakhstan’s decision not to pursue BRICS membership is seen as a setback for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has promoted the bloc as a “global majority” alliance intended to challenge Western dominance, particularly in the context of sanctions imposed over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

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“Kazakhstan is our friend, our strategic partner, our ally. We value our relations,” Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov said. “Of course, Kazakhstan itself makes decisions on the format of its participation in certain organisations.”

The tensions between the two countries come ahead of the upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, scheduled for October 22-24, where Tokayev is expected to attend as a guest for an extended meeting.