Putin disaster as key ally helping to bring about collapse of Russian economy

Vladimir Putin has a Kazakhstan-sized problem (Image: Getty)

Vladimir Putin's close ally has been forced to introduce stringent customs checks on trucks carrying goods to Russia, in a bid to comply with Western sanctions. The move is seriously impacting Russia's ability to import proscribed foreign imports essential for its war economy.

Kazakhstan enjoys close relations with Russia and shares a direct border with its bigger neighbour. It is a member of Russia's version of NATO - known as the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO). Russia sent troops to the country in January 2002 to help quell riots across Kazakhstan that erupted after the Government lifted its price cap on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Trucks queue at the Kazakhstan - Russia border (Image: X social media)

Since Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan has become a conduit for sanctioned Western goods heading to Russia. The fall in official EU/US-Russia trade has been almost matched by a rise in commercial activity between Russia and Kazakhstan.

Thousands of trucks regularly cross the border carrying everything from proscribed electronic goods to dual-use components.

In particular, the route has become a key transport link between China and Russia, through which Beijing sends Moscow drones, machinery and spare parts for its military.

Long suspected of turning a blind eye to this sanctions-busting trade, Kazakh authorities have suddenly started to beef up customs checks.

The Ministry of Finance has been upgrading its customs system with help from USAID, signalling that the government intends to comply with Western sanctions. Officials fear that Kazakhstan could soon be hit with secondary sanctions if it does not do more to stop the trade in illicit goods.

The new customs regime has caused massive tailbacks at the border, stranding over 5,000 trucks carrying Chinese goods to Russia.

The delays are costing Russian companies millions of pounds and are having a serious impact on the economy.

Warehouses are reportedly running low, retailers cannot restock and producers dependent on foreign components face production cuts.

The consequences are far-reaching for the Kremlin, as it cannot replace the Kazakhstan route quickly or cheaply. By starting to enforce sanctions, Kazakhstan has disrupted supply chains that Russia relies on to keep civilian factories running and to sustain its war economy.