30.10.2026 15:02
Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed at the 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States held in Ankara that Russia be included in the organization. Noting that Russia has had close relations with the Turkic world for centuries, Tokayev said that Moscow's participation in the OTS+ format or in the organization with observer status would be a correct and fair step and would increase the organization's international prestige.
At the 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States held in Ankara and hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the statements of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev drew attention.
Tokayev emphasized that cooperation among Turkic states must be strengthened and proposed that Russia also be included in the organization's work.
Tokayev stated that Russia could join the OTS+ cooperation format or take part in the organization's activities with observer status, and said this would be a correct and fair approach.
"RUSSIA'S PARTICIPATION WOULD BENEFIT US ALL"
Noting that Russia has maintained close relations with the Turkic world for centuries, Tokayev recalled that the country hosts many Turkic peoples.
The President of Kazakhstan argued that developing Russia's relations with the organization would produce positive results for all parties.
Tokayev stated that Russia's desire to participate should be viewed positively in order to strengthen the organization's international position.
HE RECALLED TURKIC WORDS IN THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE
In his speech, Tokayev also drew attention to the historical and cultural ties between Russia and the Turkic world.
Noting that many Turkic peoples have lived on Russian territory throughout history, Tokayev said that there are many words of Turkic origin in Russian.
The President of Kazakhstan also touched upon Russia's "Altai – Cradle of Turkic Civilization" project and stated that Kazakhstan supports this initiative.
NOT FULL MEMBERSHIP, BUT TWO SEPARATE PARTICIPATION FORMULAS
The notable detail in Tokayev's statements was that he offered two different cooperation options for Russia rather than direct full membership.
The first of these was the inclusion of Russia in the OTS+ format, and the second was its participation in the organization's activities as an observer.
This proposal does not mean that Russia has joined the Organization of Turkic States or that its membership process has officially begun.
"THE ORGANIZATION OF TURKIC STATES SHOULD NOT TURN INTO A MILITARY ALLIANCE"
At the summit, Tokayev also made assessments regarding the future of the organization.
Emphasizing that the Organization of Turkic States is not a military alliance, the President of Kazakhstan said that it should not turn into such a structure in the future either.
Stating that this approach is Kazakhstan's position, Tokayev drew attention to the importance of the organization focusing on economic, political, and cultural cooperation.
TRADE AMONG TURKIC STATES INCREASED BY 40 PERCENT
Tokayev announced that Kazakhstan's trade volume with the member countries of the Organization of Turkic States reached approximately 10 billion dollars in 2026.
Noting that this figure increased by 40 percent compared with last year, Tokayev said that new steps must be taken to further develop economic relations.
The President of Kazakhstan also called for the rapid adoption of the OTS strategy covering the 2027-2031 period.
TÜRKİYE ASSUMED THE TERM PRESIDENCY
At the summit held in Ankara, the term presidency of the Organization of Turkic States passed from Azerbaijan to Türkiye.
In the organization, of which Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan are members, Hungary, Turkmenistan, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus have observer status.
It has not yet become clear what stance the other member states will take regarding Tokayev's proposal concerning Russia.