Conspicuously, Mr. Nazarbayev does not see a role for Russia in the planned partnership. Most analysts view this as an indication that Astana understands that Russia will give it no more preferences. Given the change of power in Ukraine, the bleak prospects for current post-Soviet integration structures look even more uncertain.
The Kazakh leader was evidently driven by the recent events in Ukraine as he openly failed to mention Russia among the participants in the new project, which might mean that Astana is seeking a new stance in dialogue with Moscow.
China, which is increasingly taking the lead in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as Russia barely copes with its investment expansion, could also welcome the new alliance in the future. In the context of many regional threats and challenges, Central Asian post-Soviet states still need powerful sponsors and patrons in their thrust toward real independence.
Another possibility is that Astana itself is seeking to become the regional boss by forcing Moscow out of regional processes.
