Development prospects for Russia’s border areas with Kazakhstan in the context of external challenges

Abstract

This article aims to assess the prospects for improving interaction between the border territories of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan. To achieve this goal, the study addresses the following tasks: conducting a comprehensive analysis of the current situation, identifying the main areas of development, and identifying the key obstacles hindering effective cooperation between the neighboring regions of the two countries. The methodological framework is based on general scientific methods, including analysis, comparison, and synthesis of information concerning interaction between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan in the development of cross-border cooperation. It has been established that the economic optimization of the border territories of Russia and Kazakhstan plays a strategic role in bringing the two countries closer within the CIS and CSTO systems, which is particularly relevant in connection with the eastward shift of the Russian Federation’s interests following the onset of Western sanctions policy. The development of the border areas of Russia and Kazakhstan can be stimulated through the creation of specialized economic cross-border clusters, the elimination of administrative barriers to the movement of citizens and goods, local financing of economic projects, stronger cultural and educational ties, and the introduction of digital tools for project management and data exchange.