WASHINGTON: Kazakhstan is set to join the Abraham Accords, the landmark series of normalization agreements between Israel and Muslim-majority nations, in what U.S. President Donald Trump hailed as a “symbolic but significant step forward for global peace.”
Announcing the development on Truth Social, President Trump said Kazakhstan would be the first country of his second term to enter the accords — calling it “a major step in building bridges across the world.” “Today, more nations are lining up to embrace peace and prosperity through my Abraham Accords,” Trump wrote, adding that a signing ceremony would be announced soon.
While hailed by Washington as a diplomatic breakthrough, critics argue that the Abraham Accords have done little to advance genuine Middle East peace. They note that the initiative primarily normalized ties between Israel and governments that were never in active conflict with it — without addressing the core Palestinian issue, which remains unresolved.
Although largely symbolic, the move underscores Kazakhstan’s support for dialogue and stability, as the Central Asian nation has maintained diplomatic relations with Israel since 1992. Unlike the original signatories — the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan — which normalized relations under the accords in 2020, Kazakhstan already has well-established diplomatic and economic ties with Tel Aviv.
President Trump said he hosted a “great call” between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, describing the development as “the start of a new chapter of stability and growth.” “More nations are preparing to join this club of strength,” Trump said. “Real progress, real results — uniting countries for peace and prosperity.”
Analysts also warn that expanding the accords risks entrenching a transactional model of diplomacy, where economic and defense incentives overshadow human rights and justice. Others see Kazakhstan’s entry as largely symbolic geopolitical alignment rather than a transformative step toward regional reconciliation.
