Our People > Andrei Matveev

Journalist

Andrei Matveev is a journalist from Kazakhstan.

Articles

Constitution

Six Months to Rewrite the State: Kazakhstan Accelerates Its Constitutional Reset

Speaking on September 8, 2025, in his Address to the People of Kazakhstan in Parliament, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined plans for new political reforms. At the time, nothing in his remarks suggested either the scale of the changes his initiative would entail or the speed with which they would be implemented. Yet on March 15 of this year, Kazakh citizens will vote in a referendum on a new draft Constitution, developed at high speed over roughly six months, including a period of state-organized public consultations and expert review. According to materials published on the Constitutional Court’s page on the state portal, where the final version of the draft Basic Law was published, the starting point for constitutional reform was Tokayev’s proposal to create a unicameral Parliament. The president announced the idea on September 8, 2025. A month later, on October 8, an order was signed establishing a working group on parliamentary reform. Over the following months, the group reviewed more than 2,000 proposals from citizens and experts. At the fifth session of the National Kurultai in January 2026, Tokayev summarized the proposals on parliamentary reform, the scope of which had already expanded beyond restructuring Parliament to revising the Constitution as a whole. On January 21, a Constitutional Commission was established, comprising 130 members, including representatives of the National Kurultai, legal experts, officials from central government agencies, media executives, chairpersons of maslikhats, members of regional public councils, and academics. The first draft of the Basic Law was published on January 31. On February 11, a “referendum” version of the draft was presented to the president, incorporating comments received, including his own. Tokayev had outlined his remarks the previous day during an expanded government meeting. The question to be put to voters in March is: “Do you accept the new Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the draft of which was published in the mass media on February 12, 2026?” What is particularly notable is that on September 8, the president had cautioned against haste, calling parliamentary reform a “very serious issue” and stating that rushing it would be inappropriate. “This reform must be the subject of detailed discussion in civil society, among experts, and, of course, in the current Parliament… I believe that, given the extraordinary nature of the reform, the discussion will take at least a year, after which a nationwide referendum could be held in 2027, and then the necessary amendments could be made to the Constitution,” Tokayev said at the time. A little over five months later, however, the country is preparing for changes that extend beyond the initial proposal to abolish the upper house. At a government meeting, Tokayev emphasized that “no one is setting the task of negating the significance of the current Constitution, which has played a huge role in all of our country's achievements over the past 30 years. “Nevertheless, it should be noted that it was adopted when our country was just getting on its feet and bears the imprint of the first...

3 days ago

Nurlan Saburov

A Stranger Among His Own: Rejected by Russia, Kazakh Comedian Nurlan Saburov Faces Cold Reception at Home

Kazakh comedian Nurlan Saburov has become the third stand-up performer to be officially barred from entering Russia, this time with a 50-year entry ban. The decision, reportedly issued on national security grounds, follows years of mounting controversy surrounding the artist, who has struggled to reconcile his dual identity as a Kazakhstani citizen and a celebrity shaped by Russian showbusiness. From Stepnogorsk to Moscow Spotlight Born in 1991 in Stepnogorsk (Akmola region, Kazakhstan), Saburov’s career took off through KVN, the long-running Soviet-era improv competition, after enrolling at Ural Federal University in Yekaterinburg. In 2014, he relocated to Moscow with his family to pursue a career in the booming Russian stand-up scene, eventually gaining national fame through television appearances. However, that rise has since been marred by a series of political and legal controversies. Neutrality in the Spotlight and Its Consequences Saburov's troubles began in April 2022, when he was confronted during a U.S. tour by a protester covered in red paint, a symbolic act referencing the war in Ukraine. His offhand joke referencing menstruation drew global backlash, leading to an American tour cancellation and public outrage. Attempts to declare a neutral stance on the war in Ukraine only deepened public criticism. By May 2025, he faced his first major setback at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, where he was fined for immigration violations but allowed to leave without a ban. Then, on February 6, 2026, upon arrival at Vnukovo airport from Dubai, Saburov was detained and issued an official notice of a 50-year ban from entering Russia. The document cited violations of tax and migration law, with authorities alleging he attempted to legalize his earnings through intermediaries while refusing to apply for Russian citizenship. “In 2024 alone, Nurlan Saburov declared more than 50 million rubles [$645,000] in income while ignoring tax and migration rules,” Russian law enforcement sources told RIA Novosti. He was initially scheduled for deportation to Dubai but instead chose to fly to Almaty, Kazakhstan. Uneasy Return to Kazakhstan Speculation quickly emerged about whether Saburov would settle permanently in Almaty, where he co-hosts a successful YouTube talk show alongside three Russian hosts. The program, previously hosted on YouTube, now runs on VK, Russia’s state-backed video platform, and frequently features Russian celebrities. Relocating the production to Kazakhstan could, some argued, benefit the country’s cultural profile and tourism appeal. However, Saburov was met with public hostility. A video from 2025 resurfaced online showing him donating 10 enduro motorcycles to fighters from the Wagner Group’s Istra unit, a controversial paramilitary force implicated in operations in Ukraine. In response, Almaty-based activist Marat Turymbetov submitted a formal complaint to the Prosecutor General’s Office of Kazakhstan, calling for an investigation into possible violations of Article 170 of the Criminal Code, which prohibits financing illegal armed groups. “I believe the authorities will investigate and bring this individual to justice,” Turymbetov stated in a social media post, citing possible mercenary activity. Other Kazakhstani citizens, particularly those who support Ukraine, joined Turymbetov’s call for legal action. Saburov Responds Despite the...

5 days ago

EU Sanctions

Kyrgyzstan’s Sanctions Dilemma: Drifting from the Central Asian Consensus?

While Kyrgyzstan is improving relations with the United States by hosting the second B5+1 forum in its capital, with the participation of U.S. Special Representative for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor, Bishkek’s relations with Brussels appear to be deteriorating. The European Union is discussing possible sanctions against Kyrgyzstan, and is reportedly considering a ban on the import of certain categories of goods into the country. According to Bloomberg, which was the first to disclose details of the EU’s upcoming 20th package of sanctions against Russia, Brussels is prepared to restrict Kyrgyzstan’s trade in machine tools and radio equipment over allegations of helping the Kremlin circumvent existing bans. The Kyrgyz government has already responded to the report. On February 3, Deputy Prime Minister Daniyar Amangeldiev held a video conference with EU sanctions envoy David O’Sullivan, during which the sides agreed to engage in “constructive and substantive dialogue on issues related to sanctions.” Further discussions are expected during O’Sullivan’s visit to Bishkek at the end of the month, scheduled for February 26. Even before the EU representative’s visit, Kyrgyz officials have publicly commented on the prospect of sanctions, offering a clear sense of the tone likely to shape the dialogue. In an interview with Azattyk, Amangeldiev stressed that Kyrgyzstan has imposed restrictions on the export of dual-use goods, including weapons, and therefore sees no grounds for measures against the state. He also suggested that any potential restrictions might not take the form of sanctions against Kyrgyzstan itself, but rather recommendations to individual EU member states not to supply certain goods to the republic. Deputy Chairman of Kyrgyzstan's Cabinet of Ministers, Edil Baisalov, emphasized that Bishkek consistently communicates its position to European officials, arguing that its “trade relations with Russia do not cause any damage to third countries.” As a negotiating advantage, Baisalov pointed to what he described as growing international attention toward Kyrgyzstan. “Compared to the past, interest in our country and in the history of its socio-economic strengthening has grown significantly,” Baisalov said. “I believe the European authorities have enough patience, wisdom, and understanding not to damage relations with the Kyrgyz Republic. There is no need to create the impression that they intend to restrict us in any way or undermine our policy of national development and economic strengthening.” At the same time, small and medium-sized businesses in Kyrgyzstan are already facing serious difficulties due to the existing sanctions regime, even though these measures do not directly target the country’s key economic sectors. The logistics sector has been hit hardest. Delivery times have increased, costs have risen, visa requirements for drivers have tightened, and the volume of required documentation has expanded significantly. International payments have emerged as a separate challenge. Transfers in dollars, euros, and other currencies are increasingly delayed. Banks demand additional explanations, scrutinize the origin of funds, and in some cases suspend transactions indefinitely, creating cash-flow gaps. To reduce risks, companies are spreading payments across multiple banks: one for ruble transactions, another for Europe, and a third for...

1 week ago

Karachaganak

Why Kazakhstan Is Not Celebrating Its Multi-Billion-Dollar Win in the Karachaganak Oil Arbitration Just Yet

In late January 2026, international media reported that Kazakhstan had won a significant arbitration case against the shareholders of the Karachaganak oil field, with compensation estimated between $2 billion and $4 billion. The Ministry of Energy has not commented on the substance of the ruling, citing confidentiality, though experts say it strengthens Kazakhstan’s position in ongoing legal proceedings related to the Kashagan oil field. According to Bloomberg and Reuters, the Kazakh government initiated legal action in 2023 over what it described as unjustified cost deductions. Originally filed for $3.5 billion, the claim later expanded to include additional allegations, such as inflated expenses tied to corruption. In 2025, the shareholders of Karachaganak Petroleum Operating proposed settling the dispute by financing a domestic gas processing plant in Kazakhstan. The government rejected the proposal, however, and arbitration continued, resulting in a ruling in favor of Kazakhstan. Sources familiar with the proceedings said the consortium, led by Eni and Shell, has been ordered to pay compensation of up to $4 billion. The tribunal has yet to finalize the exact amount. As the arbitration process remains confidential, sources requested anonymity, noting that the Karachaganak consortium still has the option to appeal. While the ruling represents a partial victory, Kazakhstan had originally sought a significantly higher sum; the tribunal accepted the government's core argument: under the production sharing agreement (PSA), the consortium charged the state for unapproved and non-reimbursable expenses. Kazakhstan’s external legal advisers estimate the final payment will range between $2 billion and $4 billion. According to sources familiar with the proceedings, the recovery mechanism will likely involve revisions to the oil distribution formula within the PSA. In its written decision, the tribunal referenced Kazakhstan’s own admission that it had tolerated “corruption and kleptocracy” until 2022. A source familiar with the ruling said Kazakh officials had accepted bribes to approve inflated costs at Karachaganak, expenses that were then inappropriately reimbursed by the state. During the arbitration, Kazakhstan’s legal team presented documents from criminal proceedings in Italy. These revealed that, in 2017, several Italian contractors pleaded guilty to bribing Kazakh officials to secure contracts at both Karachaganak and the Kashagan offshore field. Oil and gas analyst Olzhas Baidildinov said the ruling gives Kazakhstan a stronger position in the Kashagan case. He asserted that Kazakhstan can now “firmly defend its rights in major oil and gas projects,” and that the "decades of privileged status enjoyed by foreign oil and gas majors in Kazakhstan's oil industry are over.” Baidildinov added that the operating models at Karachaganak and Kashagan are likely to be restructured and possibly “de-Italianized”. He also criticized the national oil company, KazMunayGas, for its silence on the Tengizchevroil (TCO) expansion project, whose capital expenditure has surged from $12 billion to $48.5 billion. Drawing comparisons to Uzbekistan, Baidildinov noted that former Uzbekneftegaz head Bahodir Sidikov was dismissed in December 2025 and later detained on corruption charges. In the same month, presidential energy adviser Alisher Sultanov was also removed. “I’m astonished that, while regional Kazakh officials are being...

2 weeks ago

Oil Production

Oil Eclipse: Power Cuts Expose Fragility of Western Kazakhstan’s CPC-Linked Energy System

Production at the Tengiz oil field in Kazakhstan is set to resume, according to the Ministry of Energy, which has been monitoring the situation since January 18. The restart does not, however, represent a full return to pre-shutdown production levels. While the disruption had no immediate impact on global oil prices, which continued to decline at the time of the outage, it triggered widespread electricity restrictions across western Kazakhstan. On January 21, Brent crude futures fell by 79 cents (1.22%) to $64.13 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate dropped by 64 cents (1.06%) to $59.72 per barrel, Reuters reported. By then, production at Tengiz had already been suspended for three days, with sources indicating that the downtime would continue for another seven to ten days. From January 20, local authorities in Atyrau and Mangistau regions reported systemic electricity supply restrictions, including altered street-lighting schedules in Atyrau to conserve power, amid reduced gas deliveries to regional generators. The Ministry of Energy did not publicly respond to this until January 22, when, in a statement, it confirmed that gas turbine units at Tengiz were shut down on January 18. At the direction of Minister Erlan Akkenzhenov, his deputy was dispatched to oversee the situation on the ground. A special commission was established to investigate the incident, including representatives from the State Energy Supervision and Control Committee, the Atyrau Region Akimat’s Energy Department, KEGOC JSC, and Tengizchevroil LLP. No official explanation for the shutdown has yet been provided. However, some Kazakh energy experts have publicly speculated about a possible link to recent Ukrainian drone attacks on the infrastructure of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which plays a vital role in exporting Kazakh oil. Oil and gas analyst Olzhas Baidildinov drew a connection between the attacks and cascading effects on domestic energy supply: “They hit the CPC; exports declined, followed by oil production. Gas production declined along with oil. Gas is essential for electricity generation in western Kazakhstan,” he said. Baidildinov added that imported gas and electricity from Russia helped prevent more severe outages, though the energy crunch underscores longstanding vulnerabilities in Kazakhstan’s infrastructure. Baidildinov also referred to recent criticism from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who at the 5th session of the National Kurultai voiced dissatisfaction with the energy sector, signaling potential personnel changes. On January 26, the Ministry of Energy announced that production at Tengiz would restart “in the near future,” and, at 4 a.m., the second-generation plant resumed operations, initiating raw material flows from the Royal field. “The current flow to the ZVP is 2,500 tons per day. Specialists are systematically increasing the supply of multiphase flow (oil and gas) to reach design capacity. At Tengiz, all technical and human resources have been mobilized to inspect energy facilities and power distribution systems,” the ministry stated. Officials emphasized that restoration efforts are under constant oversight. “TCO remains committed to ensuring reliable production and will increase volumes in stages, as infrastructure readiness and safety have been confirmed.” While the ministry has yet to publicly acknowledge...

3 weeks ago