Kazakhstan is poised to become the newest signatory to the Abraham Accords, the landmark U.S.-brokered agreements that normalized relations between Israel and several Muslim-majority countries. A senior U.S. official confirmed that the announcement is expected on Thursday evening, during a high-profile Central Asia summit in Washington.
Kazakhstan’s inclusion carries primarily symbolic weight, as the country already maintains full diplomatic and economic relations with Israel. However, the move reflects a broader U.S. effort to deepen engagement in Central Asia — a region where Russia’s traditional sway and China’s growing economic footprint have limited Washington’s influence.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan is scheduled to meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump, alongside four other Central Asian leaders, at the White House. The summit is seen as part of Washington’s strategy to build stronger political and security partnerships across the region.
The Abraham Accords, first signed in 2020, marked a historic shift in Middle Eastern diplomacy, facilitating normalization between Israel and nations such as the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. Kazakhstan’s entry into the framework would expand its reach into Central Asia — a region strategically positioned between Russia, China, and the Middle East.
Analysts say the move could help Kazakhstan balance its foreign relations, signaling openness to Western partnerships while maintaining its traditionally neutral stance between global powers.
