Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan Meets with Russian Ambassador A.N. Borodavkin in Astana

19 February 2026 – Astana. In the capital of the Republic, at the Embassy of the Russian Federation, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Kazakhstan, Alexei Nikolayevich Borodavkin.

Also present at the meeting was Archimandrite Sergius (Karamyshev), Dean of the parishes of the capital.

Greeting Alexei Nikolayevich, Metropolitan Alexander congratulated him on his recent professional holiday – Diplomatic Worker’s Day, celebrated in Russia on 10 February. The interlocutors also exchanged good wishes in connection with Maslenitsa week.

The metropolitan informed the ambassador about the principal events in the life of the Metropolitan District that marked the beginning of 2026 – the session of the Synod of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, the spiritual celebrations in Almaty on the occasion of the commemoration of the Martyr Agathia of Palermo – heavenly protectress from earthquakes and natural disasters, and the celebration of Orthodox Youth Day in the dioceses of Kazakhstan, which brought together a large number of young people.

The head of the Russian diplomatic mission was also informed about preparations for significant spiritual anniversaries to be observed by the Metropolitan District this year – the 80th anniversary of the return of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Almaty to the Orthodox Church, the 25th anniversary of the uncovering of the relics of the Venerable Martyrs Seraphim and Theognostus of Almaty, and the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Seraphim–Theognostus Monastic Hermitage in the Aksai Gorge – the place of monastic labors and the martyrdom of the heavenly patrons of the Southern capital and Semirechye.

Alexei Nikolayevich informed Metropolitan Alexander about the activities of the embassy, noting among other matters the final stage of opening the Consulate General of Russia in the city of Aktau.

The ambassador also told the hierarch that, in connection with Kazakhstan’s assumption of the chairmanship of the Eurasian Economic Union in 2026, a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council will be held in Astana at the end of May, with the participation of the heads of the member states of the Union, including the President of Russia, V.V. Putin. The head of the diplomatic mission noted that annual exchanges of high-level visits have already become established practice, and that the dates are currently being coordinated and substantive preparations for the talks are underway. The interlocutors expressed confidence that the state visit of the President of Russia to Kazakhstan, to be made at the personal invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Kemelovich Tokayev, will become a significant event in the history of Russian–Kazakh interstate relations and will provide additional momentum to the dynamic development of fruitful cooperation between the two countries.

During the conversation it was noted that the Republic of Kazakhstan pursues an active foreign policy, enjoys considerable authority on the international stage, maintains allied relations with Russia, and under the leadership of President K.-J.K. Tokayev implements a multi-vector course in international affairs, developing and maintaining multifaceted and pragmatic relations with all states.

An exchange of views took place on key provisions of the draft new Basic Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The participants emphasized the importance of the forthcoming referendum on the adoption of the new Constitution, which will take place on 15 March 2026.

The parties discussed issues of Russian–Kazakh cooperation in the spheres of politics, economics, education, science, culture and the arts. The role of traditional religions in society, in preserving moral values, and in resolving and preventing interethnic and interconfessional conflicts was also addressed.

The meeting was held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere.