WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Kazakhstan will join the Abraham Accords, an initiative aimed at normalizing relations between Israel and Muslim-majority nations.
According to Reuters, Trump made the announcement after holding a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. He added that a formal signing ceremony will be held soon and suggested that more countries are preparing to join the accords.
The Kazakh government confirmed the matter is in the final stage of negotiations. “Our anticipated accession to the Abraham Accords represents a natural and logical continuation of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy course — grounded in dialogue, mutual respect, and regional stability,” the government said in a statement cited by Reuters.
Kazakhstan already maintains full diplomatic and economic relations with Israel, but US officials argue that joining the accords expands cooperation beyond bilateral ties. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the move creates a broader partnership with all signatories, opening opportunities for economic development and collaboration.
Trump hosted Tokayev and leaders from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan at the White House on Thursday as Washington seeks greater influence in Central Asia, a region traditionally dominated by Russia and increasingly courted by China. Trump noted that other countries in the region may also join the accords in the near future.
Reuters reported that US special envoy Steve Witkoff earlier hinted at an upcoming announcement, while Axios first identified Kazakhstan as the expected entrant. Sources familiar with the matter said Washington hopes Kazakhstan’s entry will reinvigorate the Abraham Accords, which have stalled during the Gaza conflict.
The accords, brokered by Trump in 2020, initially saw the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain establish ties with Israel, followed later by Morocco. Trump has expressed optimism that Saudi Arabia may eventually join, though Riyadh has insisted on progress toward Palestinian statehood before moving forward. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is scheduled to visit the White House on November 18.
Other Central Asian nations, including Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, are also viewed as potential candidates for future accession.